Amit Shah is behaving like an “acting Prime Minister”; Modi should be cautious: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that his style of functioning resembles that of an “acting Prime Minister.” Banerjee told reporters outside the Kolkata airport after returning from a tour of flood- and landslide-ravaged North Bengal that she wanted to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to place too much trust in Shah, who “could one day become his Mir Jafar.” She was referring to Mir Jafar, the 18th-century Bengal general who betrayed Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah in the historic Battle of Plassey and joined the British. He later became the ruler of Bengal with British help. The president of West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress accused top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders of interfering in the Election Commission’s work on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in poll-bound states. Banerjee said, “One of their (BJP) leaders holds a meeting and comes here and says he will remove millions of names from Bengal’s voter list. Tell me, we are currently grappling with natural disasters, heavy rains, festivals, etc. Can the SIR process be completed within a fortnight under the current circumstances, and can new names be uploaded within that period?” She questioned whether the Election Commission should act at the behest of the BJP party or should it work in the interest of people’s democratic and civil rights. The Trinamool Congress chief alleged, “This is all a game played by Amit Shah. He is behaving as if he is the acting Prime Minister of this country. But I am sad to say that the Prime Minister knows everything.” She said, “We can request the Prime Minister not to always trust Amit Shah. One day he will prove to be your biggest Mir Jafar. You have time, be vigilant because the morning shows the day.” Banerjee accused the BJP of “destroying this country” and warned that it will not remain in power forever. He said, “I have seen many governments in my life, but I have never seen such an arrogant and dictatorial regime.