Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Tuesday alleged that Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Asif’s recent threats were made at the behest of Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Speaking to ANI, Dubey claimed that these comments were a strategic “diversion tactic” aimed at diverting public attention from illegal infiltration in West Bengal.
The controversy comes after Asif’s televised warning in which he claimed that any future military tension with India could reach Kolkata.
Dubey said, “Modi ji has already said after Operation Sindoor that if any of my citizens face any problem, we will destroy Pakistan. There should be no confusion in this.”
Dubey pointed out a direct link between the Pakistani ruling establishment and the ruling party of West Bengal. He argued that TMC was using external threats to hide its domestic weaknesses related to border security.
He alleged, “I think Khwaja Ahmed must have given such statements at the behest of Mamata ji because Bangladeshi infiltration is a big issue and Trinamool Congress is dependent on the votes of Bangladeshi infiltrators. To hide this, he must have got these statements from some minister of Pakistan. If it is investigated, it will be known at whose behest such statements were given.”
These comments come after Asif’s speech in Sialkot on April 4, in which he had warned that Pakistan would respond to any future misadventure action by India and claimed that any tension could spill over to Kolkata.
He also alleged that India may be attempting a “false-flag campaign”, although he provided no evidence to prove this claim.
Responding to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s comments cautioning voters against the BJP, Dubey asserted that the BJP is a symbol of “Bengali pride”. He said, “I think only BJP can give Bengali pride and respect. Our identity is linked to Bengal. If Syama Prasad Mukherjee had not been there, BJP would not have existed.”
He further said that BJP is getting tremendous support at the grassroots level and predicted a decisive victory. “This is not a tough contest; it is one-sided. People are united to save the Bengali identity and will oust TMC from power,” he said.
Dubey also highlighted his personal and historical connection with Bengal, saying, “If it were not for Syama Prasad Mukherjee, we would not be here. Today is the time for these things after Syama Prasad Mukherjee; we have become weak somewhere. The people here know this and they also know that Bengali pride is the priority of the Bharatiya Janata Party.”
The BJP leader exuded confidence over the party’s electoral prospects, claiming that the contest is “one-sided” and that people across Bengal are uniting to “root out” the TMC. He said party workers are united to “protect the Bengali identity” and ensure a decisive mandate.
His comments came amid Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s ongoing election campaign in Barrackpore today, in which he criticized the TMC government over governance and industrial decline.
Voting for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, and counting is scheduled for May 4.