In a sharp critique ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled rally in Nadia, West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has labeled the visit as a desperate "damage-control move." The party alleges that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has pushed the crucial Matua community into a deep crisis with the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and is now trying to mend fences.
TMC's Accusation: BJP Pushed Matuas into the "Deep Sea"
Addressing the media on Friday, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh launched a direct attack on the BJP's strategy. He stated that the BJP has landed the Matua community in trouble with the implementation of the CAA. Ghosh posed a critical question regarding the community's members filling out CAA application forms. "If Matuas now fill up CAA forms, they will end up officially declaring themselves as aliens," he argued.
He further questioned the practical implications for the community during the interim period. "Until they get their citizenship, what will be their status? Will they get any government benefits being non-citizens, either here or in any other state, or from the Centre?" Ghosh emphasized that the damage, according to the TMC, has already been done and is beyond repair.
PM Modi's Rally: A Bid to "Confuse and Divert," Says TMC
Kunal Ghosh framed the Prime Minister's visit to Nadia as a direct response to the political backlash. "Now the PM has to control this damage. He, expectedly, will make a lot of promises for Matuas. He will try to confuse, divert attention, and make promises about what the future holds," the TMC leader predicted.
He cautioned the public against what he termed as "jugglery of words" from the BJP platform. Ghosh stressed that verbal promises do not grant citizenship and pointed to the Supreme Court's stance on the necessity of citizenship for voting rights. "People fell for BJP's hollow promises earlier. We are confident that they have by now understood who are their true allies, who truly love and respect them... it's CM Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress," he asserted.
BJP as "Political Tourists" Denying Bengal Its Dues
Expanding his criticism, the TMC spokesperson portrayed the BJP's top leadership as seasonal visitors to the state. "The PM came to Bengal before the 2016 assembly polls, again in 2021, and even before the 2024 Lok Sabha. The results are for all to see. His travels to and fro from Bengal is more like that of a political tourist," Ghosh remarked.
He accused the BJP of engaging with Bengal only during election cycles while neglecting the state's interests. "As polls draw near, they (BJP leadership) become daily passengers to Bengal. But they deny Bengal its legitimate dues. They take away people's rights. They insult Bengalis and our icons. They forcibly send Bengali-speaking people to Bangladesh. And now they are attacking the identity roots of people in Bengal," Ghosh concluded, framing the CAA issue as an assault on the very identity of the people.
