The political climate in West Bengal heated up on Tuesday as Subhendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition and BJP legislator, launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Speaking at a gathering near the Ghojadanga border in north 24 Parganas, Adhikari accused Mamata of appeasement politics, particularly favouring a specific community, while highlighting issues of atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh.
Adhikari reinforced his party's Hindutva stance, aiming to unite Hindu voters ahead of Bengal’s upcoming elections. He claimed Mamata's reliance on the 30 per cent Muslim vote share would not secure her political future.
“Your appeasement politics won’t yield results. Hindus in Bengal will unite and work to overthrow Mamata Banerjee’s government in the next elections,” Adhikari told the crowd, which included members of Hindu religious organisations.
The BJP is focusing on the issue of atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh as a key election strategy. While Mamata’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) enjoys support from around 20 per cent of Bengal's Hindu voters, the BJP aims to shift the balance. Muslims, who make up 30 per cent of the electorate, have largely supported Mamata since her party came to power in 2011.
Adhikari also referred to statements made by some Bangladeshi leaders claiming that parts of West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha belong to Bangladesh. He dismissed these claims, emphasising India’s military strength.
“They are daydreaming. We have 40 fighter jets at the Hasimara airbase in north Bengal. Just two of them are enough to teach Bangladesh a lesson,” he said.
Last week, Adhikari led a protest at the Petrapole border, halting exports to Bangladesh for 24 hours.
He warned of a potential embargo, stating, “If India stops sending 97 types of goods to Bangladesh, their economy will collapse. If we cut off power supply from Jharkhand, Bangladesh will plunge into darkness.”
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh dismissed Adhikari’s remarks, accusing him of inciting divisions. “His party is in power at the Centre, yet he delivers speeches here to provoke a section of people in Bengal,” Ghosh said.
As the political tensions rise, both parties appear to be sharpening their strategies, with religion and cross-border issues becoming key points of contention in the run-up to the Bengal elections.
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