Mamata Banerjee Targets Left and Congress at Imam-Muazzin Event
In the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal and leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), focused her attention on criticizing the Left and Congress parties, despite being part of the Opposition alliance called the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
In the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal and leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), focused her attention on criticizing the Left and Congress parties, despite being part of the Opposition alliance called the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
During an event organized by the All India Imam-Muazzin Social and Welfare Organisation in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee made a significant announcement. She increased the monthly stipends for Imams, muezzins, and purohits: Imams will now receive Rs 3,000, muezzins Rs 2,500, and purohits Rs 1,500.
Banerjee's stance differed from her previous approach. In a TMC Martyrs’ Day meeting on July 21, she refrained from criticizing the Congress and Left, which raised questions about her relationship with these parties. However, at the recent event, she launched a strong attack, suggesting that although she supports the INDIA alliance at the national level, in Bengal, parties like the BJP, Communist Party of India (Marxist), and Congress were collaborating, even forming a board together for the panchayat elections.
Experts noted that Banerjee's intent was clear: she aimed to caution minority voters who support the Congress and CPM that their allegiance might ultimately benefit the BJP.
This shift in approach could be attributed to the results of the Sagardighi bypolls. In this assembly constituency, where over 40% of the voters are Muslims, the Congress managed to defeat the TMC. While the Congress MLA later switched sides, the TMC's inability to secure significant minority votes raised concerns.
The recent panchayat elections also brought to light some tensions. Although the TMC won by a large margin, there was violence in minority-dominated areas like Bhangar and Murshidabad. The Indian Secular Front (ISF), a minority-focused party, posed a strong challenge to the TMC in Bhangar. Experts suggested that Banerjee's firm stance aimed at preventing the Left and Congress from gaining any portion of the minority votes.
In response, the BJP accused Banerjee of engaging in communal politics and trying to sway voters with her stipend announcement.
CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty questioned Banerjee's claims about the collaboration between the BJP and TMC for panchayat polls.
Notably, Banerjee had initially introduced the stipend policy in 2012. The decision to increase the stipends after 11 years raises suspicions about whether it's a strategy to attract voters ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
What's Your Reaction?
