“No Right to Live in Bengal if You Don’t Support TMC”: Mahua Moitra Sparks Row

Kolkata: A fresh political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after Mahua Moitra, Member of Parliament from the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), allegedly said that those who do not support the party are not true Bengalis and have no right to live in the state. The remarks were made during a protest in Kolkata and have since gone viral on social media, triggering sharp reactions from the opposition.

The statement was reportedly made during a protest organised at Dharmatala in Kolkata over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Addressing party workers and supporters at the demonstration, Moitra defended the leadership of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and praised her political struggle on behalf of the people of Bengal.

During her speech, Moitra said that Mamata Banerjee was fighting for the rights and interests of the people of West Bengal. She further claimed that those who do not stand with the Trinamool Congress cannot be considered true Bengalis and therefore do not deserve to stay in the state. The remark has sparked a major debate on political intolerance and freedom of expression.

A video of her speech quickly circulated on social media platforms, drawing criticism from leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party. BJP leaders accused the ruling party in West Bengal of displaying an authoritarian mindset and attempting to intimidate political opponents.

Reacting strongly to the statement, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that the comments reflect the “dictatorial mindset” of the Trinamool Congress leadership. According to him, the remark shows the party’s intolerance towards those who do not support it politically.

Poonawalla compared the statement with historical examples of authoritarian rhetoric, claiming that it reminded many of the controversial slogan associated with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the Emergency era. He said that Moitra’s remarks suggesting that “TMC is Bengal and Bengal is TMC” echoed similar authoritarian attitudes seen in the past.

The BJP leader further criticised the ruling party for what he described as repeated attempts to insult institutions and communities. He alleged that the political culture being promoted by the Trinamool Congress undermines democratic values and encourages hostility toward political opponents.

The controversy has emerged at a time when political tensions in West Bengal are already high over the voter list revision exercise and ongoing protests led by the ruling party. Opposition leaders say such statements only deepen political divisions in the state.

With the video continuing to circulate widely online, the remarks have added fuel to the already heated political atmosphere in West Bengal, with both sides exchanging accusations ahead of future electoral battles in the state.