New Delhi – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confronted Delhi Police personnel outside Banga Bhawan, the state guest house in the national capital, on Monday, accusing them of “atrocities” and creating an intimidating environment ahead of her meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The incident occurred amid heavy police deployment around the two Banga Bhawans on Hailey Road and in Chanakyapuri, where Banerjee was meeting families allegedly affected by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. She questioned the barricades and large police presence, stating, “Look at what the Delhi Police is doing. We will not criticize them because it is not their fault… A bus full of Delhi Police has been brought here… We have a meeting at the Election Commission… We are here after getting an official appointment.”
Banerjee alleged that the deployment was an attempt to intimidate Bengalis and compared it to the treatment of Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visits to West Bengal. “When an explosion happens in Delhi, where is the Delhi Police then?… When we arrive, Delhi gets scared… A feudal system is still in operation in Delhi,” she said.
The CM is in Delhi to lead a Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation in discussions with the CEC regarding objections to the SIR process, which she claims has wrongly deleted names from voter lists or marked living individuals as deceased. Around 50 affected family members accompanied her to seek justice.
Delhi Police sources described the increased security as a “protocol-based operation” due to the ongoing Parliament session and information about potential protests. No official statement from the police has been issued regarding the confrontation.
This episode highlights escalating tensions between the West Bengal government and central authorities amid preparations for the 2026 assembly elections. Banerjee reiterated her resolve to fight for justice, saying, “If no one fights in this country, I will fight, our party will fight.” The meeting with the CEC is scheduled for today, with further developments anticipated.
