Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Narendranath Chakraborty has sparked a controversy by allegedly saying that Operation Sindoor was “…warmongering initiated by the BJP.”

The BJP minority cell filed an FIR against Chakraborty, who represents the Pandabeswar seat in Paschim Bardhaman district, for his remarks, and alleged that the TMC legislator belittled the valour of the armed forces.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said Chakaraborty’s remarks are “his personal statements” and that the ruling party “does not support it.”

Despite repeated attempts to contact him, Chakraborty was unavailable for comment.

BJP state President Sukanta Majumdar took to X to hit out at Chakraborty over his comments, saying, “The outrageous and condemnable remarks made by Pandabeswar’s TMC MLA Narendranath Chakraborty clearly reveals the extent to which the Trinamool Congress is trying to spread anti-national venom in West Bengal.”

A BJP leader from the Asansol belt, Jitendra Tiwari, said, “If he (Chakraborty) is so sympathetic towards Pakistan, it’s better for him to go there, buy land and stay there. If anyone else had said anything similar to his remarks, by now the TMC would have ensured that an FIR is registered. But when it is their leader, there is no action.”

The controversy broke out after a video of Chakraborty’s purported remarks surfaced on social media.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said in a post on X, “This recent speech by Narendranath Chakraborty, TMC MLA… raises serious questions that cannot be ignored. Such statements demand immediate scrutiny.”

“We do not support the statement; it is his(Chakraborty’s) personal remark. Our CM Mamata Banerjee and senior leader Abhishek Banerjee have made it clear that the TMC will not give any political statement on Operation Sindoor, nor will it participate in any debate or criticism concerning Operation Sindoor, in the interest of the nation, But we see BJP leaders are looking to gain political benefits…”