An article in an RSS-linked Bengali magazine has stirred up a hornet’s nest by claiming that both BJP and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee share the dream of “Congress-mukt Bharat” (Congress-free India).
While the BJP distanced itself from the article in ‘Swastika’ calling it “baseless” and far from the party’s official stand, the Trinamool Congress also rubbished allegations of “understanding with the saffron camp” but the Congress said that the “cat is now out of the bag”.
The article titled ‘Keno itihas muchte chaichen Mamata? Shilpo agroho na Sonia khotom?’ (Why is Mamata keen on erasing history? To attract investment or to destroy Sonia?) was written by Nirmalya Mukhopadhyay and published in the December 13 issue of the magazine. It speaks about the TMC chairperson’s recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, and claimed that both share the dream of “Congress-free India”.
“It is clear from her changing stance that this is not the same Mamata Banerjee. Narendra Modi’s dream is Congress-free India. I feel that Mamata now also believes in the same dream. That’s why she is trying to erase the history to sell this dream,” the author wrote. The writer also wondered what “political calculation” Banerjee has in her mind that she is bringing her “enemies and known rivals” close to her.
State BJP spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya termed the article “baseless” and said it has nothing to do with the party’s policy or stand. “It has nothing to do with the BJP’s policy or stand. Swastika might be an RSS-linked magazine, but many articles in it come out which are not in tandem with our policies and principles,” he said.
Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh dubbed the allegations of “understanding with the BJP” as baseless. “The allegations of understanding with the BJP are baseless. Mamata Banerjee is the strongest opposition face against the saffron camp,” the TMC’s state general secretary said.
With inputs from News18