Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP of ‘pre-planned’ role in Murshidabad Ram Navami unrest

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday alleged that the violence during Ram Navami celebrations in Murshidabad was orchestrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party, intensifying the political blame game ahead of the state elections.

Addressing a public gathering, Banerjee claimed the clashes were not spontaneous but part of a larger conspiracy. She alleged that “everything was planned in advance,” suggesting administrative changes were deliberately made to facilitate unrest.

“BJP has orchestrated the riots in Murshidabad. Officers have been transferred so that riots can be triggered. You have attacked and looted shops in Raghunathganj. You have unilaterally triggered the riots. You have looted shops during rallies. Shops and houses have been set on fire. Today or tomorrow, we will not spare anyone of you. People will do justice,” the Bengal CM said.

According to her, a senior police official was shifted just before the festival, which she implied created conditions that allowed the violence to unfold. She further accused BJP workers of being directly involved in triggering the clashes and disrupting law and order.

The chief minister also alleged that those behind the violence acted with a sense of impunity, claiming they believed no strict action would be taken against them.

The remarks come in the backdrop of clashes during Ram Navami processions in parts of Murshidabad, where tensions escalated between groups, prompting police intervention.

Banerjee’s allegations were met with sharp reactions from the BJP, which has repeatedly denied involvement and, in turn, accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of failing to maintain law and order.

“We have no problems with your processions on Ram Navami. Even our workers hold rallies. But they trigger riots. You held a rally at Suri in Birbhum with firearms. I don’t know why the administration isn’t taking action. Don’t blame me. They have snatched all my powers. They have handpicked officers who are close with the BJP and posted them in Bengal. But whatever they do, we will stay in Bengal,” CM Banerjee said.

The incident has further sharpened political tensions in poll-bound West Bengal, with both parties trading accusations over communal violence linked to religious processions.​