Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saayoni Ghosh on Thursday, 14 May squarely accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal of deploying 'fear psychosis' as a political tool, asserting that such tactics would fail to take root in the state. Her remarks came hours after TMC supremo and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged she was assaulted by a section of lawyers at the Calcutta High Court premises.

What Saayoni Ghosh Said

Speaking to reporters, Ghosh did not mince words. 'This is the culture of BJP. Mamata Banerjee was the Chief Minister of West Bengal. She will be the Chief Minister again in the future,' she said. She alleged that the former Chief Minister was 'heckled' outside the court and drew a sharp distinction between what she described as BJP's governance style and what voters in Bengal would accept.

'If anyone has committed a theft, prove it and then put them in jail. Fear psychosis is not going to work,' Ghosh asserted. Directly addressing the BJP, she added: 'You can run all this in Assam and Uttar Pradesh but you can't run all this in Bengal.'

The Bulldozer Politics Debate

Ghosh also weighed in on the BJP government's ongoing demolition drive against allegedly illegal constructions in the state — a tactic critics have labelled 'bulldozer politics'. 'Let the people of Bengal see if they want a culture of bulldozers or not. If they want a culture of bulldozers, then BJP will remain. And if they want a culture of peace, then Mamata Banerjee will come back to power,' she said.

The demolition drive has become a flashpoint, with TMC framing it as political intimidation while the BJP maintains it is a lawful action against encroachments.

The Calcutta High Court Incident

The backdrop to Ghosh's remarks was a charged scene at the Calcutta High Court earlier on Thursday. As Mamata Banerjee was leaving the court premises, a section of advocates began shouting slogans calling her a 'thief'. Some individuals in the crowd, including advocates and members of the public, were also heard making abusive remarks directed at the former Chief Minister.

'They have assaulted me,' Banerjee told waiting media persons, pointing at the agitated crowd, before departing the premises. When asked whether Banerjee had obtained permission to practise as an advocate — a question raised by BJP — Ghosh shot back: 'Did BJP take permission for vote chori?' She added: 'Wherever and however Mamata Banerjee has to go in order to ensure welfare for the people, she will go.'

Broader Political Context

The confrontation at the Calcutta High Court marks a sharp escalation in the post-election political climate in West Bengal, where the BJP now holds power after years in opposition. TMC, which governed the state for over a decade under Banerjee, has been in an aggressive opposition posture since losing office. Notably, this is not the first time Banerjee has alleged targeted harassment — similar incidents have been cited by the party to galvanise its support base ahead of local body elections expected later this year.

The coming weeks will test whether TMC can consolidate its street-level narrative against the BJP government or whether the ruling party's administrative actions reshape public opinion in the state.