In a blistering critique that has set West Bengal’s political circles abuzz, opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of being ‘communal.’ The charge followed her high-profile participation in an Eid event on Kolkata’s Red Road, where she lambasted BJP and PM Modi while pledging unwavering support to Bengal’s masses ahead of the state polls.
Speaking to the media in Nandigram, where he’s spearheading BJP’s campaign for the April 23 and 29 elections, Adhikari pulled no punches. ‘Mamata is the real communal force. Namaz is reserved for Muslims—does she follow Islam? She’s not one of them, and women pray separately anyway,’ he retorted.
He further alleged misuse of religious occasions, citing her Khilafat Committee speech labeling PM Modi an ‘infiltrator.’ ‘Religious forums aren’t for such rhetoric. I join these events respectfully—never to peddle BJP votes or vilify the CM,’ Adhikari contrasted.
Buoyed by visible Muslim outreach, he shared anecdotes: ‘Strong support is pouring in. On Eid, Halida folks attended my meeting despite their festivities. This rally boasts over 50 young Muslim participants.’ The core issue, he stressed, is jobs—Nandigram’s 30,000 migrant workers, 18,000 of them Muslim, including 3,000-plus in Maharashtra, highlight TMC’s failures.
Adhikari dismissed TMC’s 2021 NRC tactics as vote-bank politics now exposed. ‘No community backs Mamata anymore—Hindus, Muslims, everyone sees through her.’ Tying his campaign to personal roots, he said, ‘This isn’t just politics; Nandigram is my home. BJP trusts me here again because Suvendu means Nandigram.’ The exchange underscores escalating tensions as elections near.