On the morning of Bengali New Year’s Day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to X and wrote, “Ami Banglai gaan gai… (I sing in Bengali).”
Soon after the post, a fresh war of words and jibes among the prominent parties in West Bengal erupted. Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Suvendu Adhikari posted, “While Rome was burning, Emperor Nero was playing the flute! When communal violence is blazing in the state, it is natural for you to sing… But the melody of the song has become out of tune!”
Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury said, “Chief Minister, your representative went to Manipur, and Hathras. Please come to Murshidabad… You love travelling. Come and travel along the bank of Ganges. You will write poetry there.”
Chowdhury also said, “Now some people are shouting in Murshidabad that this area has become Afghanistan. That is not true. Many people used to go to other states for earning and they will not get jobs in the future. This situation was created because two political parties are playing the religion card.”
BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said, “We always hope that the Bengali new year will bring prosperity, but never thought that a Bengali on this day would have to flee away from his house. It’s a terrible situation. While we always expect on this day to hear Rabindra Sangeet, we are hearing sounds of bombs and firing. Very unfortunate.”
Adhikari on Tuesday went to Tamluk to pay his tribute at Bargabhima mandir. He said, “On this day, I am wishing to God to change the situation of Bengal. All Bengalis should pray to God for Bengal’s situation to change.”
However, state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya during her ‘Nababarsha’ puja with other TMC woman leaders, said, “It is clear now that some people planne the violence in Murshidabad to tarnish our state’s image. It is now as clear as daylight and people can also understand that. So, people will give a befitting reply to those who created this.”
Last week, parts of Murshidabad saw violence during protests against the recent amendment of the Waqf Act. On Monday, the Chief Minister said, “I should say that anybody can engage in movements in a peaceful and democratic way, but don’t take the law in your own hands. There will be many provocations but you should not be provoked.”
Without naming any political organisation, she said, “When I go to some specific programmes, they (Opposition) change my surname…Religion means respect, humanity, peace, culture, harmony. There is no bigger religion than love human beings. If you love people, you can conquer everybody.”