Union Minister and senior BJP leader Smriti Irani has launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government following the assault of BJP MP Khagen Murmu and Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh in Jalpaiguri’s flood-hit Nagrakata region. The incident, which occurred on October 6, 2025, during a relief visit to landslide-affected areas, has triggered a political storm, with Irani calling the attack “a reflection of the decay of both morality and governance” in the state.
Irani took to social media platform X to express her outrage, stating, “The brutal attack on BJP MP Khagen Murmu and MLA Shankar Ghosh, who were only helping flood victims in West Bengal, reflects the decay of both morality and governance in the state. Law and order in Bengal lie in ruins, replaced by organised violence and arrogance of power. From Sandeshkhali to Nagrakata, TMC’s rule reeks of fear and lawlessness. Bengal deserves better than this goondaism disguised as governance.”
Jalpaiguri Assault – Timeline of Events
| Date | Event Description | Location | Political Reaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 6, 2025 | BJP leaders attacked during flood relief | Nagrakata, Jalpaiguri | BJP alleges TMC-backed mob involvement |
| Oct 7, 2025 | Smriti Irani condemns attack on X | National | “Bengal deserves better” statement |
| Oct 7, 2025 | PM Modi reacts, calls law and order ‘pathetic’ | Delhi | Urges BJP workers to continue relief |
| Oct 7, 2025 | Mamata Banerjee responds | North Bengal | Accuses PM of politicising disaster |
The attack reportedly left MP Khagen Murmu bleeding from his face and nose, while MLA Shankar Ghosh sustained minor injuries. Both leaders were visiting relief camps and landslide-hit zones when they were allegedly surrounded and assaulted by a mob believed to be aligned with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). The incident occurred amid ongoing rescue operations following torrential rains and landslides that have claimed over 30 lives in North Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the attack, calling it “outright appalling” and highlighting the “absolutely pathetic law and order situation” in West Bengal. “The manner in which our party colleagues, including a sitting MP and MLA, were attacked in West Bengal for serving the people affected by floods and landslides is outright appalling. It highlights the insensitivity of the TMC as well as the absolutely pathetic law and order situation in the state,” Modi posted on X.
Political Fallout – Statements from Key Leaders
| Leader Name | Position | Statement Summary | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Irani | Union Minister, BJP | “Decay of morality and governance” | Strongly critical |
| Narendra Modi | Prime Minister of India | “Appalling law and order situation” | Condemnatory |
| Mamata Banerjee | Chief Minister, West Bengal | “PM politicising a natural disaster” | Defensive |
| Piyush Goyal | Union Commerce Minister | “TMC must answer for violence” | Critical |
In a counter-response, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Prime Minister of politicising a natural disaster. “It is unfortunate and deeply concerning that the Prime Minister of India has chosen to politicise a natural disaster without waiting for a proper investigation,” Banerjee said in a statement. She added that the BJP’s allegations lacked verified evidence and amounted to a breach of constitutional ethos.
The TMC dismissed the incident as a “photo-op gone wrong,” alleging that BJP leaders were attempting to gain political mileage from the tragedy. However, BJP leaders maintained that their visit was purely humanitarian and aimed at assisting flood victims.
North Bengal Floods – Humanitarian Impact
| District | Death Toll | Missing Persons | Relief Camps Opened | Key Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalpaiguri | 14 | 8 | 12 | Landslides, blocked roads |
| Alipurduar | 9 | 4 | 8 | Waterlogging, power outages |
| Darjeeling | 7 | 3 | 6 | Communication breakdown |
| Total | 30+ | 15+ | 26+ | Rescue coordination, aid delivery |
The political clash has overshadowed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in North Bengal, where thousands remain displaced due to landslides and flooding. Relief efforts are being coordinated by both state and central agencies, but tensions between the BJP and TMC have complicated ground-level operations.
Social media platforms have erupted with reactions to Irani’s statement, with hashtags like #BengalDeservesBetter, #JalpaiguriAttack, and #TMCViolence trending across Twitter/X, Facebook, and YouTube. Supporters of the BJP have amplified calls for a central inquiry, while TMC loyalists have accused the opposition of exploiting tragedy for political gain.
Public Sentiment – Social Media Buzz on Jalpaiguri Assault
| Platform | Engagement Level | Sentiment (%) | Top Hashtags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitter/X | 1.4M mentions | 82% critical of TMC | #BengalDeservesBetter #JalpaiguriAttack |
| 1.1M interactions | 78% supportive of BJP | #TMCViolence #FloodPolitics | |
| YouTube | 950K views | 75% analytical | #SmritiIraniSpeech #BJPReliefMission |
| 820K views | 70% neutral | #GovernanceCrisis #DisasterPolitics |
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also weighed in, stating, “The Mamata government must answer for the violence against elected representatives. This is not just a breakdown of law and order—it’s a breakdown of democratic norms.”
Political analysts believe the incident could have long-term implications for Bengal’s political narrative, especially with the 2026 Assembly elections on the horizon. The BJP has been steadily expanding its footprint in North Bengal, and incidents like these could galvanize its base.
Bengal Political Landscape – Post Jalpaiguri Incident
| Party Name | Current Strength (Assembly) | North Bengal Influence | Public Perception Post-Incident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinamool Congress | 215 | Moderate to strong | Under scrutiny |
| Bharatiya Janata Party | 77 | Growing | Sympathy surge |
| Congress | 2 | Weak | Marginal |
| Left Front | 0 | Negligible | Irrelevant |
In conclusion, Smriti Irani’s sharp rebuke of the Mamata Banerjee government following the Jalpaiguri assault has reignited the debate over governance, law and order, and political accountability in West Bengal. As relief efforts continue in flood-hit regions, the political fallout from this incident is likely to shape narratives in the months ahead.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports, verified political statements, and expert commentary. It does not constitute political endorsement or campaign advice. Readers are advised to follow updates from official government portals and election authorities for accurate information.
