Trinamul Congress has demanded investigation by police into the alleged transaction of huge money in the account of ISF leader Naushad Siddiqui and discussion between him and some BJP leaders through WhatsApp.
Addressing a press conference, party’s veteran leader Firhad Hakim and state secretary Kunal Ghosh alleged that the BJP was playing communal card before the ensuing panchayat election to woo a section of the Muslim voters.
“Suvendu Adhikari, who till recently said he did not want 30 per cent Muslim vote in West Bengal, is now shedding crocodile tears for the Muslims,” Mr Hakim said, adding, “We condemn religious leaders of all the communities who mix religion with politics to hoodwink people.”
Mr Hakim alleged that the BJP was trying to vitiate the peaceful environment in Bengal by spreading communal venom.” People should shun this narrow, dirt attitude of the BJP,” he remarked.
Mr Kunal Ghosh said the CPM and Congress had collaborated with ISF before the 2021 Assembly election. The result was disastrous for both the parties and the CPM did not get a single seat in the Assembly election. “Now the BJP is trying to form an unholy alliance with the CPM, Congress and ISF to create trouble in West Bengal,” he maintained.
He said, “Trinamul Congress has respect for the leaders of all religions and sects but they should not do politics to vitiate the social fabric and communal harmony.” Mr Hakim said Trinamul is not scared of any political party as it would be difficult for them to field candidates in the forthcoming panchayat election. There are more than 68,000 seats in gram panchayat, more than 9,000 in panchayat samity and more than 900 seats in zilla parishad.