Mamata Downplays Op Sindoor In Bengal, Abhishek Praises It Overseas: TMC’s ‘Divide & Rule’ Technique

Final Up to date:Might 30, 2025, 14:36 IST

Abhishek’s journey overseas to burnish India’s picture utilizing Operation Sindoor and Mamata Banerjee’s criticism of the motion again dwelling are a part of a technique, say political consultants

At the same time as India is revelling within the success of Operation Sindoor towards Pakistan, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee downplayed it in a press briefing in Kolkata held after PM Narendra Modi’s deal with in north Bengal on Thursday.

“It was not a conflict, however a small skirmish”, she mentioned, to the shock of many.

At a time when her social gathering Trinamool Congress’s basic secretary Abhishek Banerjee is travelling overseas as a part of India’s official delegation to unfold the phrase on Operation Sindoor on a worldwide platform, the TMC, like another opposition events, was anticipated to align with the nationwide sentiment.

Nonetheless, Banerjee dismissed the army operation, questioning its title, launching private assaults on the PM, and accusing him of indulging in “conflict advertising”.

Why do Banerjee’s remarks matter? As a result of, in contrast to the Congress, the TMC has not been vital of its leaders representing India in delegations. TMC chief Banerjee picked Abhishek to be a part of the delegation.

Political analysts say this obvious contradiction is just not about creating confusion, however a calculated transfer – it’s a mixture of electoral-political wants and nationwide posturing. It is usually about Banerjee’s old-school id politics versus Abhishek’s rising ambition for a nationwide, centrist picture, they mentioned.

Here’s a breakdown of the seemingly ‘complicated’ statements.

WHY DILUTING OPERATION SINDOOR IS KEY TO UNDERMINING MODI

With meeting elections approaching in 2026, Banerjee is again in full election mode – not simply as a regional chief, however as a hyperlocal tactician. The method was accelerated after PM Modi’s go to and deal with in north Bengal, invoking nationalism via Operation Sindoor.

Banerjee nonetheless remembers the aftermath of the Balakot strike in 2019. Her social gathering misplaced 18 Lok Sabha seats, and the Bharatiya Janata Get together (BJP) turned a formidable opposition. Nonetheless, since then, issues have modified on political and organisational stage. The TMC has regained misplaced floor in some areas. However a seasoned politician like Banerjee doesn’t wish to take possibilities.

Her calculated dismissal of Operation Sindoor is just not anti-national, it’s pro-survival. The TMC has been dropping political capital since 2019, and with the BJP making aggressive inroads in border districts and SC/ST belts, she must maintain her core Muslim base consolidated. Her rhetoric is crafted for native consumption, not for nationwide applause.

“Mamata Banerjee is aware of Bengal politics higher than anybody else. She understands that she must dilute the affect of Operation Sindoor. She can not permit Modi to dominate the narrative on nationalism and affect voters in her stronghold,” mentioned senior political analyst and creator Professor Biswanath Chakraborty.

“In India, international coverage and home electoral politics have at all times operated on totally different planes. In Bengal, even when Modi highlights Operation Sindoor and backs the BJP with funds and visibility, the social gathering unit right here nonetheless lacks the organisational depth and logistical capability to tackle the Trinamool, which stays deeply rooted throughout the state. So Mamata Banerjee has to focus on their weak spot,” he added.

CONSOLIDATING MUSLIM SUPPORT

Banerjee’s 2026 meeting ballot marketing campaign will rely closely on consolidated Muslim assist, because it at all times has. In 2021, this demographic helped her obtain an epic comeback. However politics is a quickly altering world. With the rise of AIMIM-style events and the BJP’s focused Hindu vote financial institution technique, Banerjee is aware of that even a 5% dent within the Muslim vote and a minuscule swing in Hindu votes might be disastrous for her social gathering.

Therefore, her statements are rigorously crafted – criticising the “Sindoor” nomenclature (a Hindu image) was not unintended. It was seemingly a delicate sign to reassure her minority base that she is just not endorsing a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ narrative.

Whereas Abhishek travels overseas to burnish India’s picture utilizing Operation Sindoor, at dwelling, Banerjee deconstructs it. It’s not a contradiction, it’s a choreographed technique, say consultants.

“I don’t suppose there may be any severe inner battle inside Trinamool Congress. Mamata and Abhishek are working in sync, managing each nationwide and regional compulsions. The social gathering is targeted on strengthening its organisation. By July, they’re planning a full-scale outreach throughout the state. In comparison with 2019, they’re higher organised now. They’ve introduced in professionals to handle social media, growth messaging, and grassroots coordination – with out relying solely on the Chief Minister’s workplace. In distinction, the BJP nonetheless struggles with ground-level presence and actual public engagement in Bengal. That hole is widening,” mentioned Maidul Islam, professor of political science on the Centre for Research in Social Sciences, Calcutta (CSSSC).

“When somebody is a part of the official delegation to speak in regards to the nation’s military operation, they naturally need to reward the operation regardless of being members of the opposition. Nonetheless, on the house entrance, questions are being raised in regards to the alleged US intervention. In the meantime, Pakistan has additionally made sure strikes in response. So, there may be additionally stress for parliamentary dialogue and deliberation on the matter. Inside a 12 months or much less, these points would require official clarification – each when it comes to coverage and public communication. Mamata Banerjee is paving that path,” he added.

Madhuparna Das

Madhuparna Das, Affiliate Editor (coverage) at CNN Information 18, has been in journalism for almost 14 years. She has extensively been overlaying politics, coverage, crime and inner safety points. She has lined Naxa…Learn Extra

Madhuparna Das, Affiliate Editor (coverage) at CNN Information 18, has been in journalism for almost 14 years. She has extensively been overlaying politics, coverage, crime and inner safety points. She has lined Naxa… Learn Extra

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