Dharmendra Pradhan slams Abhishek Banerjee for remarks over Shah
The Statesman | 23 April 2026
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday slammed Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee for his remarks on Union home minister Amit Shah after a rally in the state.
In a social media post, Pradhan termed Banerjee’s statement an “empty threat”. He wrote: “Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah ji has spoken of democracy, security and accountable governance. The response from Mr. Abhishek Banerjee has been yet another empty threat delivered in full public view. Bengal deserves political discourse, not intimidation; leadership, not political muscle-flexing.”
Accusing the Trinamul Congress of engaging in politics of intimidation, Pradhan said such language only exposes the growing desperation within the Trinamul leadership. “When an election campaign is answered with intimidation and street-level provocation, it confirms exactly what the people of West Bengal have endured for years under this regime,” he said.
The Union minister further expressed belief that this will strengthen the people’s resolve in the state. “The people of Bengal are watching closely, and every such statement only strengthens their resolve to reject the politics of fear and stand firmly for democratic change.”