New Delhi: The election campaign in poll-bound Bengal has reached a crescendo, with top leaders of rival parties – Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP hitting the campaign trail.
In the midst of election heat, a TMC leader named Sheikh Alam has sought to communalise the poll campaign by playing Muslim card and invoking Pakistan in the campaign.
The leader who owes allegiance to Mamata Banerjee has said Muslims can create 4 Pakistans in the country, if they join hands. After video of his inflammatory speech went viral on social media, he has been drawing ire for warped mentality and deploying wicked means to influence voters.
TMC leader’s incendiary remarks sparks row
In a video tweeted by BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya, Sheikh Alam reportedly said, if 30% Muslims in India come together, then 4 Pakistan can be formed.”
Y’day, TMC leader Sheikh Alam, giving a speech in Basa para, Nanoor, in Birbhum AC said, if 30% Muslims in India come together, then 4 Pakistan can be formed…
He obviously owes his allegiance to Mamata Banerjee… Does she endorse this position?
Do we want a Bengal like that? pic.twitter.com/YjAeSzhH5P
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 25, 2021
He said while giving a speech in Basa para, Nanoor, in Birbhum assembly constituency.
In 2016 polls, Mamata’s close aide created row over ‘Mini Pak’
This is not an isolated incident. In the 2016 assembly elections, Mamata’s close aide Firhaad Hakim had stoked a major controversy, hours before the 5th phase of voting.
Hakim had described Garden Rich area of the city as ‘Mini Pakistan’ which sparked off major controversy and bitter political bickering. He had termed this area as Mini Pakistan while talking to ‘Dawn’, a Pakistani newspaper.