West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the event at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, on Monday. (PTI)
Mamata Banerjee, at the event, said, “On all-India level, I am with INDIA, but here in Bengal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress are together. They also formed a board together for the panchayat polls.”
Even though a part of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee targeted the Left and Congress at the All India Imam-Muazzin Social and Welfare Organisation event in Kolkata on Monday.
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She announced a raise in stipend for Imams, muezzins and purohits by Rs 500. Now, Imams will get Rs 3,000, muezzins will get Rs 2,500 and purohits will get Rs 1,500 per month.
No INDIA Effect?
At the TMC Martyrs’ Day meet on July 21, Banerjee had refrained from targeting the Congress and Left, leaving the political circles abuzz about her ties especially with the Congress, after a dinner with Sonia Gandhi.
On Monday, however, Banerjee was fierce in her attack. “On all-India level, I am with INDIA, but here in Bengal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress are together. They also formed a board together for the panchayat polls.”
Banerjee’s messaging was clear, say experts. She told that the minorities that support for the Congress and CPM would ultimately help the BJP, they said.
SAGARDIGHI BYPOLLS IMPACT
According to experts, the attack could be an effect of the Sagardighi bypolls. In the assembly constituency, which has more than 40% Muslim voters, the Congress defeated the TMC. Although later, Congress MLA Byron Biswas switched over, not winning the minority votes was seen as a concern by the TMC.
“If minorities are upset with the TMC, they could turn to the Congress or CPM. Banerjee does not want the minorities vote to be divided,” they said.
PANCHAYAT POLLS
In the recent panchayat polls, the TMC won with a thumping majority, but violence and conflict were seen in the minority belts of Bhangar and Murshidabad. In Bhangar, the Indian Secular Front (ISF), a minority dominated party, gave a tough fight to the TMC. “Banerjee clearly doesn’t want the Left or Congress to get any share of the minority votes,” experts said.
BJP REACTS
BJP leader Suvendhu Adhikari said Banerjee was indulging in communal politics. “Purohits don’t need her Rs 500. She is playing the communal card before the Lok Sabha polls.”
CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty said, “Here in Tamaulipas, the BJP and TMC had formed a board together for panchayat polls, what is she saying?”
Banerjee had first announced the stipend in 2012. The raise after 11 years is leading to the question if it is part of the strategy to woo voters ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
