A sharp political controversy has erupted after Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Narendranath Chakraborty called India’s Operation Sindoor—an anti-terror military strike targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir—a “scripted drama.” His comments have drawn strong condemnation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused him of undermining India’s security efforts and pandering to vote bank politics. This incident adds fuel to the ongoing political tussle around the perception and portrayal of Operation Sindoor ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
Strong Political Backlash Over Controversial Remarks
In a widely shared video clip, Narendranath Chakraborty alleged that Operation Sindoor was a fabricated event, suggesting that the BJP government coordinated with Pakistan before the May 7 strikes. He described the operation as a “fake war” and a “complete act” staged for political gain. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari condemned these remarks as “disgraceful,” accusing the TMC of compromising national interests to appease its voter base. West Bengal BJP’s media co-incharge Keya Ghosh echoed the call for stern action against Narendranath Chakraborty, questioning the silence of TMC leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, on these derogatory comments.
The controversy comes shortly after another TMC leader, North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha, sparked outrage by claiming that “Sindoor is being sold as a business.” The party distanced itself from Guha’s statement, describing it as his personal opinion, not reflective of official TMC views.
Political Context and Operation Sindoor’s Impact
Narendranath Chakraborty’s statements follow West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s earlier downplaying of Operation Sindoor as a “small skirmish.” Meanwhile, her nephew Abhishek Banerjee was part of India’s official delegation promoting the operation internationally. Banerjee’s critical remarks, which included questioning the operation’s name and accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “war marketing,” were seen as politically motivated, especially in the run-up to the 2026 elections.
Operation Sindoor involved precise strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, destroying key terror hideouts and eliminating over 100 terrorists responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The operation was widely viewed as a significant response to terror threats against India, making the recent dismissive comments by TMC leaders a contentious issue in the political landscape.
