West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a fiery address in the state assembly on September 4, 2025, accusing the saffron party of harboring a “dictatorial and colonial mindset” and attempting to turn Bengal into its political colony. Her remarks came amid heated debates over Centre-state relations, alleged interference by central agencies, and the ongoing tussle over financial dues to the state.
Banerjee’s statement has reignited the political discourse around federalism, autonomy, and the role of central institutions in state governance. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo also accused the BJP-led central government of weaponizing agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to destabilize elected state governments.
🧭 Key Highlights from Mamata Banerjee’s Assembly Speech
| Issue Raised | Mamata Banerjee’s Statement | Political Implication |
|---|---|---|
| BJP’s Governance Style | “They have a dictatorial, colonial mindset.” | Allegation of central overreach |
| Federal Structure | “They want to turn Bengal into their colony.” | Assertion of state autonomy |
| Central Agencies | “ED, CBI are being used to harass opposition leaders.” | Accusation of political vendetta |
| Financial Dues | “Centre owes Bengal ₹1.15 lakh crore.” | Demand for pending funds |
| Role of Governor | “Governor is acting like BJP’s spokesperson.” | Criticism of Raj Bhavan’s conduct |
Banerjee’s remarks were met with loud protests from BJP MLAs, who staged a walkout, accusing the Chief Minister of undermining constitutional institutions.
🔍 Context Behind the Remarks
The confrontation between the TMC-led state government and the BJP-led Centre has intensified over the past year, with multiple flashpoints:
- Pending Dues: The Bengal government claims the Centre owes over ₹1.15 lakh crore under various schemes including MGNREGA, PM Awas Yojana, and GST compensation.
- Central Agency Raids: Several TMC leaders have faced ED and CBI investigations, which the party alleges are politically motivated.
- Governor’s Role: Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has been accused by TMC of bypassing protocol and acting in alignment with BJP interests.
- Administrative Interference: The Centre’s alleged attempts to influence law enforcement and bureaucratic appointments have drawn criticism.
Banerjee’s speech was seen as a direct response to these developments, asserting Bengal’s right to self-governance and resisting what she termed “Delhi’s dominance.”
📉 Timeline of Centre-State Flashpoints in Bengal
| Date | Event | Outcome / Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | ED raids on TMC leaders | TMC calls it political vendetta |
| Mar 2025 | Governor skips state budget presentation | Assembly passes resolution against Governor |
| May 2025 | Centre withholds MGNREGA funds | Mamata writes to PM, demands release |
| Aug 2025 | CBI summons TMC ministers | TMC protests in Parliament |
| Sept 2025 | Mamata’s assembly speech | BJP walkout, national media spotlight |
These incidents have contributed to a growing narrative of confrontation and resistance from regional parties against central authority.
🔥 Political Reactions Across Parties
| Party / Leader | Reaction to Mamata’s Statement | Position on Centre-State Relations |
|---|---|---|
| BJP (Suvendu Adhikari) | “Mamata is running a corrupt regime, blaming Centre to deflect.” | Supports central oversight |
| Congress (Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury) | “Centre must respect federalism.” | Calls for cooperative federalism |
| CPI(M) (Mohd. Salim) | “Both BJP and TMC are playing politics over governance.” | Criticizes both sides |
| AAP (Arvind Kejriwal) | “States must not be treated as subordinates.” | Echoes federal autonomy |
The issue has sparked a broader debate on the balance of power between the Centre and states, especially in opposition-ruled regions.
🧠 Expert Commentary and Constitutional Perspectives
| Expert Name | Role | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Meera Iyer | Constitutional Scholar | “The Governor’s role must remain apolitical. Overreach undermines federalism.” |
| Rajiv Bansal | Political Analyst | “Mamata’s speech is a strategic assertion of regional identity.” |
| Dr. Rakesh Sinha | Governance Expert | “Centre-state friction is inevitable, but must be managed through dialogue.” |
Experts agree that while central oversight is constitutionally valid, excessive interference can erode the spirit of cooperative federalism.
📦 Bengal’s Financial Dues: Breakdown of Claims
| Scheme / Fund | Amount Claimed by Bengal (₹ crore) | Status as per State Govt |
|---|---|---|
| MGNREGA | 7,500 | Pending since FY 2023–24 |
| PM Awas Yojana | 9,200 | Funds withheld over audit issues |
| GST Compensation | 12,000 | Delay in disbursement |
| Central Road Fund | 3,500 | Awaiting clearance |
| Total | ₹1.15 lakh crore | Claimed as dues from Centre |
The Centre has contested some of these figures, citing procedural delays and compliance issues.
📌 Conclusion
Mamata Banerjee’s fiery speech in the Bengal assembly has reignited the debate on federalism, Centre-state relations, and the role of constitutional institutions. Her accusation that the BJP harbors a “dictatorial and colonial mindset” reflects growing tensions between regional autonomy and central authority. As the political landscape heats up ahead of the 2026 general elections, such confrontations are likely to shape the national discourse on governance, democracy, and decentralization.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available political statements and media reports as of September 4, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute political endorsement or legal advice.
