“He is a Gunda, he is a Jallad…”: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee’s sharp attack on Home Minster Amit Shah

In the charged atmosphere of West Bengal’s ongoing electoral battle, a fresh controversy erupted after Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee launched a blistering verbal attack on Home Minister Amit Shah, using sharp and provocative language that has drawn widespread attention. 

Speaking at a public gathering amid the heated campaign season, Banerjee accused Shah of intimidation and misuse of power, alleging that central institutions were being deployed to target the ruling party in the state. In a moment that has since gone viral across social media platforms, the TMC MP escalated his rhetoric, warning that Shah would be “hung upside down” if he continued such actions.

During his speech, Banerjee repeatedly referred to the Home Minister as a “gunda” and a “jallad” while also calling him a “coward” and accusing him of orchestrating “illegal activities” through central agencies. He further alleged that bodies such as the Election Commission and Central forces were acting in favor of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), claims that have been strongly contested by the opposition. 
“He is working only for the BJP. And Amit Shah came here and held out threats, A Home Minister being a Gunda. He is a Gunda, he is a Jallad,” Banerjee said during the speech.
“Amit Shah has done all these illegal activities. He is a dirty man. Completely dirty man,” he added.

Banerjee linked HM Amit Shah’s political roots in Gujarat to his conduct, alleging that “his original in Gujarat was gunda,” before adding, “Gunda means it is in his blood.” 

Escalating his attack, Banerjee openly challenged the home minister in combative terms, “Amit Shah come here … If you have the courage, come. Coward, Gunda… Coward.”
 Banerjee also broadened his allegations beyond individual criticism, accusing key constitutional and security institutions of acting in a partisan manner against the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. “Governor is against us. Election Commission is against us. CISF, CRPF every central machinery is against us,” he claimed, raising questions over whether the electoral process in the state could be considered “free and fair.”

Banerjee’s speech, delivered in this already tense backdrop, carried a tone of defiance and confrontation. He alleged that Amit Shah had “come to threaten” the people and leadership of West Bengal, while portraying the BJP’s actions as politically motivated interference.
The most controversial portion of his address came when he directly challenged the Home Minister, daring him to “come here” and face the people, before issuing the now widely circulated threat. His repeated use of strong descriptors “gunda,” “jallad,” and “dirty man” has since triggered criticism from opposition leaders, who have termed the language inappropriate for a public representative.

As West Bengal awaits the counting of votes, the episode stands as a stark reminder of how deeply entrenched rivalries have shaped the narrative of 2026 Assembly elections where words, as much as votes are carrying the weight of the battle.