BJP announces Ram temple project in Bengal after TMC MLA's proposal for Babri Masjid-like mosque
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal BJP's Murshidabad unit has announced plans to construct a Ram temple in Berhampore, days after TMC MLA Humayun Kabir proposed to set up a mosque, modelled after the Babri Masjid, at Beldanga in the same district.
The BJP said the temple’s construction will begin on January 22, 2025, exactly one year after the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
BJP’s Berhampore organisational district president Shakharav Sarkar said land for the temple has already been identified, and the project is estimated to cost Rs 10 crore.
"We have already identified a land in Beharampore area and the construction work for the Ram temple, based on the design of the temple in Ayodhya, will begin soon," he told reporters.
Kabir, the TMC MLA from Beldanga, had on Tuesday announced plans for the mosque, which he said would honour the sentiments of the region’s significant minority population.
His remarks have sparked political controversy, with opposition parties accusing him of attempting to polarise communities for political gain.
The BJP’s counterproposal to build a Ram temple is seen as a strategic move to strengthen its presence among the Hindu community in Murshidabad, a district where minorities account for around 75 per cent of the population.
Responding to the controversy, the TMC distanced itself from Kabir’s remarks, describing them as his opinion.
“The TMC has nothing to do with this statement of Kabir,” a senior party leader said.
Kabir’s announcement has also drawn criticism from the Congress, which accused him of playing divisive politics in a sensitive region.
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Surveillance intensified in Bengal border districts as killers of Suvendu's PA may flee out of state
Kolkata (PTI): Police stations in border districts of West Bengal intensified surveillance and searches as investigators suspect the involvement of professional shooters from neighbouring states in the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide, a senior officer said on Friday.
The police are also investigating the role of local criminals who might have provided logistical support to the assailants, he said.
More than 36 hours after Adhikari's personal assistant Chandranath Rath was assassinated by motorcycle-borne gunmen at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district, the police are yet to make any arrest.
“A detailed investigation is underway. The manner in which the attack was carried out suggests extensive reconnaissance and the possible involvement of hired sharpshooters from outside the state,” a senior police officer told PTI.
He also said all police stations in border districts have been alerted.
"Checks are being carried out at multiple points, and CCTV footage from areas along Jessore Road is being thoroughly scanned,” another senior officer said.
According to probe findings, the gunmen allegedly followed Rath’s vehicle before launching the attack.
“The escape route of the gunmen indicates that they were familiar with the locality, or local criminals might have assisted them. Without local support, fleeing through the lanes so quickly would have been difficult,” the officer added.
The police, however, are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder.
The police and detective department officers have launched extensive searches in and around Madhyamgram near Kolkata.
Heavy deployment of police and central forces has also been made in the area since the murder occurred on Wednesday night.
"A motorcycle used in the crime was registered in 2012 in the name of a resident of Burnpur in Asansol. However, the police found that no person by that name currently resides at the address given during the vehicle registration process," another officer said.
