The Trinamool Congress (TMC), West Bengal’s ruling party, on Tuesday strongly criticised the central government following the deadly car explosion near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort on Monday evening, calling for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to be held accountable. The TMC highlighted security lapses, questioned the efficiency of national law enforcement, and demanded the resignation of Shah, citing repeated incidents of terror and violence in India that they claim demonstrate systemic failures in internal security.

TMC’s Strong Response

In a statement on the social media platform X, TMC leaders drew parallels between the recent Red Fort blast and past terror attacks, including those in Pulwama and Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising that such incidents continue to take place under the watch of the Union home ministry. The party argued that Shah repeatedly escapes scrutiny despite lapses that result in loss of innocent lives.

“Any home minister with even a shred of conscience would have stepped down by now. But remorse and responsibility are foreign to this regime,” the TMC said, directly targeting Shah. The party also criticised Prime Minister Modi, who left for Bhutan on Tuesday, suggesting that while he engages in international diplomatic appearances, citizens at home are left vulnerable.

TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee described the explosion as “extremely distressing” and stressed that such an incident in the heart of the national capital exposes grave shortcomings in security arrangements. He highlighted that the Delhi Police, which functions under the direct supervision of the Union home ministry, bears primary responsibility for maintaining law and order. “How, then, are such grave lapses in security being allowed to occur?” he asked.

Concerns About Internal Security

Banerjee referred to the recent recovery of explosives in Haryana’s Faridabad, linking it to concerns about internal security and vigilance failures. He called for a thorough, impartial, and time-bound investigation, preferably conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under court supervision, to ensure that the truth is established and those responsible are held fully accountable. According to the TMC, incidents such as these underline a pattern of negligence in protecting urban centres from terror threats.

TMC Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra also criticised Shah, highlighting what she described as a stark failure in his responsibilities as home minister. “India needs a capable home minister, not a full-time ‘hate campaign minister’,” she wrote. “Isn’t it @AmitShah’s duty to protect both our borders as well as our cities? Why is he failing so spectacularly on all counts?”

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee, the West Bengal Chief Minister, addressed the issue in a public statement on Monday without directly naming Shah. She raised concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the role of the Union home ministry in managing border security. “You said there were [infiltrators ahead of SIR] in Bihar, where your government is in power. As home minister, you should resign as internal security and the Border Security Force are your responsibility,” she remarked.

BJP Response

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, strongly defended the central government and dismissed the TMC’s accusations. Samik Bhattacharya, BJP’s West Bengal chief, countered the claims by alleging that infiltrators and terror elements from Bangladesh had found safe havens in West Bengal during Mamata Banerjee’s regime. Bhattacharya’s comments reinforced the BJP’s stance that national security lapses are not exclusive to the central government but are also linked to state-level governance.

Political and Public Implications

The TMC’s demand for Shah’s resignation comes at a time when the investigation into the Red Fort blast is ongoing. The incident has triggered nationwide concern over urban security in densely populated and historically significant areas. The TMC’s criticism is likely to amplify debates on the effectiveness of the Union government’s counter-terrorism measures, border management, and policing strategies.

Public and political discourse around the blast has been charged, with social media and news outlets abuzz with differing opinions on accountability, security lapses, and preventive measures. While the NIA and Delhi Police continue their probe into the blast, opposition parties, led by the TMC, are using the incident to question the competence of central authorities and call for systemic reforms in the country’s internal security apparatus.

The Red Fort Blast Context

The Red Fort car explosion occurred near the Lal Qila Metro Station on Monday evening, killing at least 13 people and injuring over 20. Investigations revealed that the vehicle involved, a Hyundai i20, had changed ownership multiple times and was linked to individuals allegedly associated with a terror module busted in Faridabad, Haryana. The blast site was cordoned off immediately, and security was heightened across Delhi, particularly around historic and sensitive areas.

Authorities are investigating the possibility that the explosion was triggered deliberately, with forensic teams examining the car for explosive residues and other critical evidence. The investigation is ongoing, with family members of the suspected individuals being called in for DNA verification.

Conclusion

In response to this tragedy, the TMC has taken a strong political stance, linking the incident to systemic flaws in urban security and calling for the resignation of Amit Shah. The party’s statements emphasise accountability at the highest levels of government while also highlighting public concern over repeated security lapses in India’s cities. As the investigation continues, the political discourse is expected to intensify, focusing on preventive strategies, law enforcement effectiveness, and the broader implications for national security.

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