KOLKATA MAYOR and State Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister Firhad Hakim sparked a controversy on Saturday after his remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with Operation Sindoor.

The BJP reacted sharply, alleging that the TMC leader “insulted” the PM and tried to “downplay” Operation Sindoor. The TMC did not immediately respond to Hakim’s remarks.

While speaking to mediapersons, Hakim claimed, “The Indian armed forces gave a befitting answer to Pakistan. How can the PM claim that he has done anything big? How can he take credit for Operation Sindoor?”

In a post on X later on Saturday, the BJP wrote, “Firhad Hakim — Mamata’s loudest mouthpiece and the same man who once called parts of Kolkata “mini Pakistan” — has now crossed every line. He downplayed Operation Sindoor, insulted PM Modi…this isn’t political opposition — this is verbal treason. And Mamata Banerjee? Silent…”

The BJP’s state president Sukanta Majumdar said, “Basically, Hakim has never taken a stance against Pakistan. During the erstwhile UPA government’s tenure, no such steps were taken against Pakistan. That is why Hakim and some others are now finding it tough to accept that it
was done.”

Attaching a video of Hakim’s purported remarks, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya accused the senior TMC leader of making a “disgraceful attack” on the PM.