‘Mini-Pakistan’: Closer to Poll Date, BJP’s Nandigram Campaign Turns Openly Anti-Muslim

It is clear that the Pakistan narrative has gained ground in BJP’s campaigns in Bengal with Suvendu Adhikari’s speeches. The speeches of Bhartiya Janta Party’s Candidate in Nandigram – The epicenter of the fight for the West Bengal Assembly has came to be focussed around words like ‘Pakistan’ , ‘Begum’ and ‘Eid’ in what is turning out to be a campaign targeted at communal polarisation. On Monday, March 29, while speaking at a public meeting in Nandigram, Bhartiya Janta Party leader and candidate from the seat Suvendu Adhikari said, “if begum comes back to power, the state will turn into a mini Pakistan”. ‘Begum’ refers to chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s closeness to the Muslim voters. For the past few day, Andhikari, in all his public meetings in Nandigram and surrounded areas, has referred to Banerjee as ‘begum’. Mamata regularly says ‘Eid Mubarak’, it has become a habit of hers. So much so that, on the occasion of Dol (the spring festival in Bengal, usually preceding Holi), she wished everyone ‘Holi Mubarak’,” said Adhikari, before making the ‘mini-Pakistan’ reference. She acts according to the seat she is fighting for. “She is trying to act like a Hindu now. While campaigning in Egra, she was reciting the kalmas The  Islamic phrases. In Nandigram, she was chanting the wrong Chandipath The Hindu mantra said Adhikari on Monday.

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