Muslim Trinamool MLA’s inclusion sparks discontent in Bengal BJP
Kolkata, June 2: There is rising discontent in the West Bengal BJP against the induction of Trinamool Congress’ Labhpur legislator Monirul Islam, with a key district level functionary even threatening to quit with his supporters if the leadership did not show the door to the MLA.
Islam, said to be a prominent Muslim face of Trinamool, had crossed over to the Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi on Wednesday.
But his inclusion sparked off protests in the BJP, with a large section of workers and supporters taking to micrblogging site Twitter to express their dismay at Islam’s inclusion.
They recalled Islam in 2015 publicly threatened to behead a Congress functionary from Birbhum and went on to claim how he had “squashed” three people under his feet for committing atrocities against women.
“Ashamed”, “bad decision” were some of the comments posted by the Twitterati.
“Do you know he is triple murder accused ? All garbages are joining BJP. Bengal BJP will die on this own very soon,” said a dismayed supporter.
Kalosona Mondal, BJP’s Birbhum district General Secretary, was aghast at the party’s decision.
“Through the media, I have been telling my party leadership that Monirul is simply not acceptable to us. He is unacceptable to the people of Birbhum,” Mondal told IANS over phone.
Accusing Islam of being involved in all sorts of violence and “nefarious activities”, he said: “We all want our party to expand, and new people to come. But their background should be checked. If people against whose activities we have been fighting are taken in, then our struggles all through these years become meaningless.”
Mondal, who got attracted to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh during the Ram Janambhoomi movement, said: “Posts don’t mean anything to me. If I fail to make my party leadership see reason, I will step down from my post. I will not be part of the BJP any more. But I won’t join any other party. I will work in some arm of the Sangh Parivar.”
Pointing a finger at BJP leader Mukul Roy for roping in Islam, he said: “What he fails to understand is that people like Monirul are now joining us for their political survival, as they know the ruling Trinamool Congress’ days are numbered.”
He also sought to caution the party leadership about allowing entry to elected councillors or panchayat functionaries of the Trinamool into the BJP, adding that of the 167 gram panchayats in the districts, 50-70 panchayats now ruled by the Trinamool, could land in the BJP’s lap anytime now.
However, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh defended the decision to take in Islam and hinted that more such leaders may be inducted in the future.
“More such people may enter in future. You may not like it. I myself often don’t like it. But to win one needs both manpower and muscle power. So for the party’s expansion, all kinds of people have to be admitted. We will digest all that,” he said.
Meanwhile, district political sources said the immediate trigger for Islam quitting Trinamool is the party leadership’s refusal to give him a commitment that his son would be nominated from Labhpur in the next assembly polls, slated for 2021.
“Islam is not keeping well He suffers from serious ailments. So he is keen to anoint his son as his successor from Labhpur. When that failed, he decided to cross over. The Trinamool’s setbacks in the state in the Lok Sabha polls also came at an opportune time for him,” a source added.
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Hundreds of TVK supporters return disappointed from cancelled swearing in ceremony venue
Chennai (PTI): Hundreds of TVK supporters, fuelled by the hope of seeing their leader Vijay as chief minister, gathered at Nehru Indoor Stadium in the city on Thursday, only to be met with locked gates and a lack of information regarding the scheduled proceedings.
Many supporters, travelling from various parts of the state, near and far, like Arumbakkam and Coimbatore, expressed deep disappointment and confusion upon finding the premises closed and without official communication.
Speaking to PTI Videos, fans and party loyalists described a sense of heartbreak after arriving early to secure a place in line.
Charulatha, a supporter, noted the emotional toll of the situation: "We came with so much joy thinking he would become the chief minister today, but there is nothing here. The gates are closed. It is very painful."
Sai Deepika, her daughter and a student set to enter the 12th grade, shared her excitement for the event: "I was very excited to be here. I have been telling everyone he will win and do good things for the people."
A visibly distressed Gunasundari, a long-time political observer from a family of AIADMK supporters, stated she shifted her loyalty to Vijay: "I publicly say I voted for Vijay. I have a belief that he will help those in need. Seeing the gates closed like this is a shock."
Despite the confusion on the ground, the gathered crowd remained steadfast in their political choice. Several supporters highlighted Vijay’s decision to fund party activities independently as a key reason for their trust.
"He didn't take a single rupee from the people for his flag or the stage. He did it all himself," said an emotional Gunasundari. "Even if they try to shame him or create obstacles, he is the one who will eventually win."
Many attendees cited news reports and social media claims as their reason for arriving early on Thursday morning. Some supporters mentioned they had travelled via public transport and waited for hours under the impression that an official declaration or event was imminent.
"My son told me that declarations were made yesterday and everyone was coming today," Gunasundari added. "I didn't even tell him I was leaving; I just started my journey to see him in person for the first time".
