India News: Mamata Accused of Dividing Bengal on Language and Caste Lines
The Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of using divisive tactics to strengthen her vote bank. In a scathing attack on Saturday, Adhikari alleged that Banerjee has been systematically dividing people along language and caste lines in the state.
Adhikari's remarks come amid growing tensions in Bengal, where the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) is facing a stiff challenge from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2024 general elections. The BJP has been making inroads in the state, particularly in the rural areas, where Banerjee's TMC has traditionally been strong.
According to Adhikari, Banerjee has been trying to consolidate the Muslim vote by clubbing all Muslims together as minorities. He alleged that this move is aimed at polarizing the community and creating a sense of victimhood, which would help the TMC to retain power.
Adhikari also accused Banerjee of promoting a language divide in the state, where Bengali-speaking people are being pitted against those who speak other languages, such as Hindi and Urdu. He claimed that this move is designed to create a sense of exclusivity and alienate non-Bengali speaking communities.
The opposition leader's comments have sparked a fresh row in the state, with the TMC accusing him of trying to create communal tensions. However, Adhikari's remarks have also been seen as a reflection of the growing unease among non-Bengali speaking communities in the state, who feel that they are being marginalized by the ruling party.
The situation in Bengal is likely to remain tense in the coming weeks, with both the TMC and the BJP trying to outmaneuver each other ahead of the elections.
