Intense discussion in Bengal assembly
Who is communalising the politics in West Bengal? While TMC has blamed BJP for raking up religion in politics, Congress and Left have a different take on the matter. According to them, it is TMC which started the process of communal politics in the state in the recent history by brazely appeasing one particular community. BJP has only highlighted that to reap electoral dividends, the opposition in the state believes.
On Wednesday, the issue of appeasement became a hot topic for discussion in the West Bengal assembly. For a very long time, assembly proceedings in Bengal have attracted strong criticism with many key ministers not attending and answering opposition's questions. But with TMC's stocks rapidly diminishing, it looks like the party is more amenable to hearing the opposition's views.
One such MLA is Moinul Haque of Congress, a veteran leader from Farakka. He virtually managed to put the cat among the pigeons by asking Mamata Banerjee point blank about various perceived appeasement policies practiced by the West Bengal CM.
Moinul Haque asked that why arbitrarily allowance was granted from Imams and Muezzins while gatekeepers of other religions didn't get a dime. The decision taken during the first term of Mamata government had attracted severe criticism with High Court finally rejecting the dole given to Imams.
Haque was also severe at Mamata and criticised the fact that she attended Eid's jammat at Red Road,where normally women don't go.
This unprecedented attack came on the floor of the assembly on the same day when Mamata Banerjee extended the olive branch to the Congress and CPI(M) saying that all the forces need to come together to counter BJP.
BJP has been repeatedly accusing Mamata Banerjee of playing communal politics. Dilip Ghosh said in the floor of the Parliament that Mamata wants to make Bengal 'West Bangladesh'. Mamata Banerjee though has defended her outreach towards Muslims even tacitly accepting that they are her vote bank. She said after election defeat that she is willing to suffer kick from the cow that gives milk.
BJP won an unprecedented 18 seats in the assembly election and TMC which dreamt of winning 42 seats was reduced to 22 seats down 12 from 34. Post results, Mamata has blamed everyone including central forces, EVM, EC for BJP's Bengal win. However, DidI has also started taking corrective measures as she has finally started to crackdown on the rampant corruption brewing in the lower levels of administration. She has said that any leader acceptiing 'cut-money', which is basically commission would be put behind bars.
1. What is TMC's response?
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Firhad 'Bobby' Hakim, Kolkata mayor and state minister countered Moinul Haque's charges. Firhad is currently the most senior Muslim leader in TMC's stable. Countering the allegations of minority appeasement, Firhad said that TMC doesn't disriminate and listed out steps taken to beautify Hindu temples in Dakshineshwar and Kalighat.
Incidentally, Firhad Hakim was the Chairman of the Tarakehwar board, but he was replaced by Ratna De Nag after TMC faced huge loss in Lok Sabha. Firhad Hakim also had attracted controversy few years earlier by comparing Kolkata port area to 'Mini Pakistan'.
2. Dilip Ghosh's no-hold bar attack on Mamata in debut Parliament speech
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The BJP Tuesday accused the Mamata Banerjee government of trying to create "West Bangladesh" by allowing infiltrators from Bangladesh to settle in West Bengal.
The TMC, however, claimed that the National Register for Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Bill were aimed at deliberately targeting the minority community.
Speaking on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in the Lok Sabha, Dilip Ghosh said the law and order situation in the state is in complete shambles and democracy in doldrums.
"The (West Bengal) chief minister is very interested to become prime minister... She is trying to combine Bengal and Bangladesh and create West Bangladesh. There is a conspiracy going on to separate Bengal from India," Ghosh said.
The first time BJP MP from West Bengal said there is nothing political about 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan of the BJP since it was Lord Rama who taught justice and law and order, which is required in the state.
"Jai Bangla is a slogan imported from Bangladesh, whereas Jai Shri Ram is our own slogan," Ghosh said.- PTI
3. Didi's olive branch to CPM and Congress
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Understanding the new political reality of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee from the floor of the Assembly virtually asked the opposition Left and Congress to come together with her to defeat BJP.
TMC in the past has allied with Congress so it is along expected lines. But Mamata Banerjee's entire political image has been built on anti-Left politics. Her undying struggle to oust the Left juggernaut in Bengal brought her massive support and respect from voters. But with slipping support, now Didi is eager to even get their help. As the old adage goes, there is no permanent friends or enemies in politics, is truly apt here.
While the Congress has reacted cautiously, Left has outright rejected the proposal saying TMC is a sinking ship. BJP's Mukul Roy has mocked Mamata's overtures saying she has virtually accepted the fact that TMC alone can't stop the BJP from coming to power in the state in 2021.
