Stating that the country has been witnessing “back-to-back security lapses” from the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack to Monday’s Delhi car blast, the TMC on Tuesday demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation and said that a time-bound probe under the court’s supervision should be conducted.
“It is extremely distressing that such an incident has taken place in the heart of our National Capital. The Delhi Police, which is directly under the Union Home Ministry, bears the primary responsibility for maintaining law and order. How, then, are such grave lapses in security being allowed to occur?” TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee posted on X.
“Only yesterday morning, nearly 350 kg of explosives and an assault rifle were recovered from Faridabad in Haryana. Viewed together, these incidents raise alarming questions about internal security and the evident decline in vigilance,” the TMC leader said.
“An impartial, time-bound investigation must be conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), under court supervision if necessary, to uncover the truth and ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable,” added Abhishek, who is considered number two in the party.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra also called for Shah’s resignation, saying that he was “failing spectacularly” as the Home Minister of the country.
“India needs a capable Home Minister, not a full-time Hate Campaign Minister. Isn’t it Amit Shah’s duty to protect both our borders as well as our cities? Why is he failing so spectacularly on all counts?”
TMC minister Shashi Panja said, “At a time when we are saddened by what happened in Delhi yesterday, we are more worried about whose hands our country is in.”
“Back to back, we are seeing security lapses under the BJP government — even on international borders. In 2016, we were told that demonetisation would reduce terror activities. After the Pahalgam attack, it was said that anything next would be considered an act of terror. The Home Minister couldn’t answer yesterday why and how this bomb blast happened. The Prime Minister has gone to Bhutan. Where will the citizens draw their faith from?” she said.
Following the blast in Delhi on Monday evening, a high alert was issued in Kolkata.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma said all police stations in the city have been put on heightened alert, with special attention to areas around metro stations.
Police sources said security was beefed up near major public venues. “We have tightened security in and around Eden Gardens and the hotel where international cricketers are staying for the India-South Africa Test scheduled later this week,” a senior state police officer said.
Police in Kolkata said the heightened measures include more frequent patrols, increased checks at transit hubs, and closer coordination with central agencies. Officers were also instructed to monitor sensitive locations and events, and to verify the identities of personnel at public venues and hotels.