A flash mob by TMC MPs in Delhi, purportedly signaled by Mamata Banerjee, has backfired spectacularly. After unruly protests led to police intervention, the party is now leveraging the ‘victim’ narrative, earning ridicule from BJP’s vocal critic Praveen Khandelwal.
The MPs converged on Connaught Place and nearby areas, protesting perceived discrimination against Bengalis. Shouts of ‘Delhi for all’ rang out amid traffic snarls. Law enforcement’s response—dispersal and arrests—prompted TMC to flip the script, labeling it an assault on democracy.
Khandelwal was unsparing. ‘Mamata’s MPs create mayhem on her wink, then whine like victims. Delhi isn’t Kolkata’s playground,’ he stated firmly. He drew parallels to Bengal’s lawlessness under TMC rule, questioning their double standards.
Insider whispers confirm Banerjee’s role, with strategy sessions held virtually. Viral clips show MPs resisting dispersal, fueling debates on protest rights versus public order. Analysts predict this will galvanize BJP’s anti-disruption stance.
Bengali associations issued measured statements, urging dialogue over drama. Khandelwal advised TMC to channel energies constructively. ‘Build alliances, don’t burn bridges.’
In the broader context, this reflects intensifying electoral skirmishes. TMC eyes Delhi’s 20,000-plus Bengali votes, but risks alienation. Khandelwal’s salvo may just tip the scales against their ploy.