Kolkata, July 09, (V7N) — As political tensions mount ahead of the upcoming West Bengal state assembly elections, Bangladesh has once again entered the political discourse in India, with opposition leaders invoking the neighboring country in their verbal sparring.

On Tuesday afternoon, Subhendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and senior BJP leader, made controversial remarks regarding Bangladesh’s interim government during a public address at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Center (EZCC) in Salt Lake, Kolkata.

Adhikari claimed that in November 2015, a Bangladeshi ambassador, allegedly representing the current Yunus-led interim government, had paid a courtesy visit to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata. He also alleged that there are attempts to exploit incidents of communal violence in Bangladesh — particularly gang rapes of Hindu women — to provoke similar unrest in India.

Cross-Border Politics Amid Rising Election Heat

These comments come amid growing political tension between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as both sides gear up for a highly anticipated state election next year. Accusations, counter-accusations, and references to Bangladesh — often along religious or geopolitical lines — have become a regular feature of political speeches in West Bengal.

Political observers note that leaders from both parties often cite issues related to Bangladesh — such as illegal immigration, communal tensions, and alleged political affiliations with Bangladeshi parties like the Awami League, BNP, or the interim Yunus government — in an attempt to bolster their narratives.

While no official statement has been made by the Bangladesh High Commission regarding Adhikari’s latest claims, the rhetoric has once again highlighted the sensitive and politically charged role that Bangladesh plays in the internal political dynamics of India’s eastern state.

END/RH/AJ