Kamal Ghorui
KOLKATA: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee chose Kolkata’s largest Eid congregation on Red Road to call PM Narendra Modi the “biggest infiltrator… who shakes hands in Saudi Arabia” but harps on “the Hindu-Muslim narrative (when he is) in India”.“We will not give up our rights to Modiji. He goes to Saudi Arabia and shakes hands there. I respect all countries but I am proud of my own. You seem to forget everything when you shake hands abroad but, when you return to India, the Hindu-Muslim narrative begins again. You then call for deleting names, labelling people infiltrators. I would say you are the bigger infiltrator,” she said Saturday during a six-minute address.
Banerjee linked her remarks to an ongoing dispute over voter roll deletions under the SIR process, saying she had moved both Calcutta HC and Supreme Court. “I still hope people’s rights will be protected. I will stand by people of Bengal – across religion, caste and creed – like family,” she said.Pitching Bengal as a bastion of social harmony, she added: “Bengal believes in unity. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians – everyone lives together here. We will not allow anyone to break this social fabric.”The West Bengal CM also accused BJP of exerting control over state administration, alleging an “undeclared President’s rule” before April 23 and 29 assembly polls in the state. “You have captured our administration… they have removed everyone and plan to place BJP functionaries in these positions. This is a party of thieves, robbers, goons, and gaddars (traitors),” she said, adding: “Jo darte hain, woh marte hain. Jo ladte hain, woh kamyab hote hain (Those who fear, die. Those who fight, succeed).” Without naming him, she referred to Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir’s “betrayal”, alleging attempts to split votes with BJP backing. Quoting a line popularised in the film Coolie, she said outcomes ultimately rest with the Almighty.Trinamool general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee echoed the unity message, urging communities to celebrate each other’s festivals.
