West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently escalated her criticism of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asserting that his actions suggest he is operating as an ‘acting Prime Minister’.
Addressing reporters outside Kolkata airport following her visit to flood-affected areas in north Bengal, Ms. Banerjee directly appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She urged him not to place excessive faith in Mr. Shah, dramatically suggesting that Shah ‘may one day become his Mir Jafar.’ This historical reference points to the 18th-century military general of Bengal, notorious for betraying Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey, subsequently ascending to power with British support.
The Chief Minister further alleged that the Election Commission’s current actions, specifically regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, are being carried out at the behest of Mr. Shah. She reiterated her claim that Shah is behaving like a de facto Prime Minister, adding, ‘Unfortunately, the Prime Minister is aware of all his deeds.’