The political landscape in West Bengal has become increasingly charged with religiously sensitive remarks, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. On Tuesday, opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, while addressing the media outside the assembly, made a provocative statement, asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would assume power in Bengal within ten months. He went on to declare that Muslim legislators elected under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) banner would be ousted onto the streets.
Trinamool’s Strong Opposition
Reacting sharply to Adhikari’s comments, Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir demanded an apology and set a 72-hour ultimatum for him to retract his statement. Kabir warned of consequences if Adhikari failed to comply, emphasizing that the opposition leader must not overstep his boundaries.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also condemned Adhikari’s statement in the assembly on Wednesday. She stressed that humanity should take precedence over religious divisions and warned against using religion as a tool for political gains. “Humanity is above all. Religion should not be misused to spread division and hatred,” she remarked.
Counterattack from BJP
In response, BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh countered by recalling past controversial remarks made by Trinamool leaders. He questioned why action was not taken against certain statements made by TMC leaders like Firhad Hakim and Siddiqullah Chowdhury. Ghosh further criticized the ruling party for selectively addressing inflammatory remarks while ignoring those made by its own members.
Rising Political Temperatures
With the assembly elections in Bengal barely a year away, political hostilities have intensified. The BJP, aiming to wrest control from the ruling Trinamool Congress, has intensified its attacks, making religion a focal point of its campaign strategy. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has pushed back strongly, accusing the opposition of inciting communal discord.
As the political battle heats up, the key question remains: will the people of Bengal succumb to divisive politics, or will they reject such communal rhetoric? The coming months will determine whether religious sentiments continue to be a battleground for political parties or if the electorate prioritizes governance over polarization.
