BJP Targets Abhishek Banerjee After Controversial ‘Godfather’ Statement

Police in West Bengal have registered a First Information Report against Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee for alleged provocative speeches during last month’s election campaign. The FIR accuses the Diamond Harbour representative of trying to create hostility between groups and disturb public order while addressing voters.

The complaint was lodged by social worker Rajiv Sarkar on 5 May. Sarkar alleged that Abhishek Banerjee made inflammatory remarks and issued threats against Union Home Minister Amit Shah at several campaign events held between 27 April and 3 May across different locations in the state.

FIR details, BNS sections and alleged threat by Abhishek Banerjee

According to the complaint, Sarkar cited a speech from a pre-poll programme in Kolkata on 7 April. The FIR records the quoted line as: "I will see who comes to save them on May 4. I will see which godfather from Delhi comes to their rescue," allegedly made by Abhishek Banerjee.

The case against Abhishek Banerjee lists several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. These include sections linked to provoking riots, promoting hatred by affecting harmony between communities, creating fear of death, issuing threats that affect social peace, and circulating statements claimed to be false.

Calcutta High Court, FIR context and post-poll violence in West Bengal

The FIR comes soon after Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee personally appeared before the Calcutta High Court. Mamata Banerjee, joined by Chandrima Bhattacharya and Kalyan Banerjee, argued a petition regarding alleged post-poll violence and reported attacks on TMC offices following the declaration of election results in West Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee told the Calcutta High Court that at least 10 people had died in the state after the results. Mamata Banerjee said nearly 150-160 Trinamool party offices were vandalised and around 2000 violent incidents documented. Referring to photographs, Mamata Banerjee said women, children and minority community members were particularly targeted.

Mamata Banerjee alleged that party buildings had been "looted and captured in front of the police" and urged immediate court action to shield residents from attackers. Responding to the plea, the Calcutta High Court ordered the West Bengal government to "strictly maintain law and order at the ground level".

The Calcutta High Court also instructed police to safeguard people who left their homes fearing retaliatory attacks and to ensure safe return to their properties, regardless of political link. The bench asked the state to submit an affidavit-in-opposition within three weeks, with two further weeks allowed for any exception, while keeping the maintainability of the TMC PIL unresolved.