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New Delhi: A fresh political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegedly described Diamond Harbour, the Lok Sabha constituency of Abhishek Banerjee, as the “Lyari of Bengal”. The remark has drawn a sharp response from the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), which accused the BJP of showing “contempt and hatred” towards the state.
The reference to Lyari — a locality in Karachi, Pakistan — is widely associated with crime, gang violence, and lawlessness. The area has also gained broader recognition in India following its depiction in the film Dhurandhar, which portrayed it as a hub of criminal activity.
Backdrop of Rising Tensions
The controversy comes amid heightened political tensions in the Diamond Harbour region. Earlier this week, the Falta Assembly constituency grabbed headlines after IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, often referred to as ‘Singham’, warned TMC candidate Jahangir Khan of strict action against any wrongdoing during polling.
Khan responded with a cinematic retort of his own, saying, “If he is Singham, I am Pushpa,” referencing popular film characters in a symbolic exchange that quickly caught public attention.
Adding to the friction, the BJP alleged on polling day that its election symbol had been covered on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in several booths in Falta, which it claimed prevented voters from selecting the party.
‘New Low’: TMC Hits Back
It was in this charged atmosphere that a report quoted a BJP worker calling Diamond Harbour the “Lyari of Bengal”, citing its proximity to the Sunderbans and the Bangladesh border as reasons for alleged infiltration concerns.
The TMC reacted strongly, sharing the report on social media and accusing the BJP of crossing all limits in its rhetoric.
“First, they called us ‘Bangladeshi’ for speaking our mother tongue Bengali. Then they labelled us ‘Rohingyas’ for eating fish. And now, the BJP has sunk to a new low, openly equating Bengal with Pakistan,” the party said.
The TMC further alleged that such statements reflect a pattern of “continuous otherisation” of Bengal, claiming the BJP has resorted to such tactics due to its inability to establish a strong political presence in the state.
“A state that sacrificed immense blood for India’s freedom is being treated with contempt and hatred. This is deep-seated cultural aggression against Bengal. The people of Bengal will not accept this humiliation,” the party added.
High-Stakes Election Battle
West Bengal has witnessed a fiercely contested political battle between the BJP and the TMC in the ongoing elections. Voting was conducted in two phases — on April 23 and April 29 — with a high voter turnout reported across constituencies.
Most exit polls have suggested an advantage for the BJP, predicting that the party could potentially unseat the TMC and form a government in the state for the first time.
The final verdict will be known on counting day, scheduled for Monday.