Bangladeshi poll connect: TMC's Firhad Hakim accuses BJP of muddying water
Row continues.
Bengal state Minister and TMC leader Firhad Hakim has accused BJP of muddying waters over the issue of Bangladeshi actors being roped in to campaign for TMC in the elections.
Firhad Hakim who is also Kolkata Mayor said that no one cares who is campaigning for whom and BJP is raising these issues as it can understand that its support base is fast eroding.
Even as row continues over Bangladeshi cinestar Ferdous Ahmed campaigning for TMC in Raiganj, now reports have emerged that another actor campaigned for the party in Dum Dum, which is in suburbs of Kolkata. Gazi Abdul Noor, who is a TV star campaigned for Saugata Roy in Dum Dum and the likes of former state minister Madan Mitra were present there. According to reports, both the actors were in India in business visa and didn't have any prior permission to partake in any political activity.
Popular Bangladeshi actor Ferdous was ordered to leave the country immediately and his business visa cancelled, an official said Tuesday, two days after he campaigned for West Bengal's ruling TMC that sparked a political row.
West Bengal state BJP leaders Jay Prakash Majumdar and Sisir Bajoria also met the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ariz Aftab on Monday to register a complaint and urged him to take appropriation action over the alleged violation of the model code of conduct by the Trinamool Congress(TMC).
A video showing Ahmed and Bengali actors Ankush and Payal participating in a roadshow on Sunday to seek votes for Kanhaiyalal Agarwal, the TMC candidate from Raiganj Lok Sabha seat, went viral on social media.
"All should vote for the Trinamool Congress. All should vote for didi (TMC chief Mamata Banerjee)," Ahmed was claimed to have told voters while sharing the dais with Agarwal.
The Centre Tuesday issued a 'Leave India' notice and cancelled the business visa given to the actor.Ahmed has also been "blacklisted" by the Union Home Ministry, thus jeopardising the prospects of his future travel to India.
"After receiving a report from the Bureau of Immigration regarding visa violations committed by a Bangladesh National, Ferdous Ahmed, the home ministry has cancelled his business visa and issued him a 'Leave India' notice. He has also been blacklisted. The FRRO Kolkata has been directed to ensure compliance of these orders," a union home ministry official said in Delhi.
With PTI inputs
The move comes hours after the central government sought a report from the Foreigner Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Kolkata, on the Bangladeshi actor over his alleged poll campaign.
Majumdar, the state BJP vice president, wanted to know how a Bangladeshi national on a visit to the country could campaign for a candidate, and alleged that the actor was brought to polarise minority voters in the constituency.
"We believe that it is a completely illegal move executed intentionally. This is a proof of the TMC's bankrupt politics," he said.
When reached by PTI for comments, Agarwal said he had no knowledge of the actor canvassing for him.
"I have no knowledge about this (Ahmed campaigning for him). I have only two star campaigners Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikary. I have participated in Mamata's two rallies and today I took part in a roadshow in Islampur where Suvendu Adhikary was present," Agarwal said.
Firhad Hakim accused BJP of muddying water unnecessarily. He said that after understanding that they are in weak wicket electorally, the saffron party is raising these issues which no one cares for.