Educated Muslims must work to oust Mamata govt: BJP's new West Bengal prez Samik Bhattacharya
Kolkata, Jul 5 (PTI): Asserting that the BJP will continue to fight the radical elements that were "receiving patronage" of the Mamata Banerjee government, the party's new West Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya on Saturday appealed to "educated Muslims" to oust the TMC from power in the state.
Addressing his first press conference as the state president, Bhattacharya said the BJP believes in Syama Prasad Mookerjee's ideal of inclusiveness, as India is defined by its pluralism.
"BJP does not believe in polarisation as we believe in taking everyone together on the road of progress, with no particular community being appeased. We will fight against any radicalisation effort, we will resist and protest any attack against Hindus and others," he said.
Bhattacharya said he had no difference of opinion with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, "as he was equally distraught over the way radical elements of a particular faith went on a rampage in Murshidabad in front of the police".
"There is nothing wrong if he talks of Hindu unity. In fact, all those who have lived in Hindustan for thousands of years are Hindus, even if they belong to different faiths, including Islam. BJP has always stood for the right of everyone to practice their own religion," he said, adding "Badhutwavad is Hindutvavad (pluralism is Hindutva)"
The Rajya Sabha MP also accused the TMC of committing atrocities on the Muslim community.
"This government keeps the police inactive when innocent Muslims are attacked by TMC goons. In recent years, several members of the community were killed, injured, and their houses were burned. What did the police do to prevent such attacks?" he asked.
"I appeal to Muslim youths to take up books and shun stones for their economic upliftment. The Mamata Banerjee government has always used them for votes," he said.
Bhattacharya claimed that Kolkata was witnessing a situation similar to that prevailing in the pre-Independence era because of TMC's "divisive politics".
He said Mookerjee and Left icon Jyoti Basu worked to protect the 'asmita' of the people living here, and the BJP will also work in that direction.
"I am appealing to the educated Muslim society to throw away this government. In the next 20 years, there will be no change in power at the Centre as the people of this country are with PM Modi. A BJP government in the state will propel your growth," he said.
Bhattacharya also accused the TMC of "murdering democracy" by gagging the opposition's voice in the state assembly.
"Speaker Biman Banerjee has expunged remarks of an eminent economist like Ashok Lahiri, as this government is not open to criticism of its policies. They are dictatorial. People of the state will dump this government in the sea in the 2026 assembly polls," he claimed.
He also criticised the TMC for "aiding language-based politics of hatred".
"Aren't the people of Bihar and UP living here for centuries, our own? Why should there be an effort to target the Hindi-speaking community who also belong to this state, this country? Actually, the TMC, which is the offshoot of Congress, always has this DNA of parochialism. Remember how Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was sidelined?" he remarked.
He alleged that the TMC's quest for "supremacy" led to the murder of 56 BJP workers in 27 days following the 2021 assembly elections.
Bhattacharya also slammed the TMC government over the state of education and employment opportunities in West Bengal.
"WBJEE results are yet to be published even as months have passed. Students' union elections are not being held in colleges. TMC functionaries who are in no way associated with the education sector are in the governing bodies of 44 colleges," he said.
Appealing to the people across political lines, specifically the Left, to vote for the BJP, he said, "I repeat, keep your party colours and flags at home. Let us rise above party and join hands to dislodge the TMC government from power. Don't cut into votes, people will not forgive the traitors."
Rejecting the allegations, the TMC claimed the BJP could continue "day-dreaming" about dislodging the Mamata Banerjee government.
"They will be rejected by the people again. There is no taker for BJP's brand of divisive politics," TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said.
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Messi mania grips Kolkata as thousands welcome Argentine icon at 2.26 am
Kolkata (PTI): Thousands braved the December chill and waited past midnight to give a rousing welcome to Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi as he arrived in Kolkata for his whirlwind three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025.
The Barcelona legend's 2.26 am touchdown in the early hours of Saturday sent the city into a frenzy. Gate 4 of the international arrivals turned into a roaring sea of chants, flags and flashing phones, with fans sprinting between gates for even a fleeting glimpse of their favourite star.
Children perched on shoulders and drums rolled as Messi was whisked out through the VIP gate under massive security. A heavy convoy then escorted him to his hotel, where another huge crowd was waiting deep into the night.
Barricades, police deployment, and non-stop cheering completed a citywide eruption of "Messi mania."
Messi arrived with long-time strike partner Luis Suárez and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul. Over the next 72 hours, he will zip across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, meeting chief ministers, corporate leaders, Bollywood celebrities and eventually Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.
Sleepless wait ends in disappointment
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Despite keeping vigil through the night, the wait ended in disappointment for many fans as they could not catch a glimpse of their icon.
Heavy security meant Messi was whisked out of the airport and taken to his hotel around 3.30 am through a back entrance, giving hundreds of waiting supporters a complete miss.
Only a handful of lucky airport staff managed a fleeting glimpse of the Argentine superstar as he stepped off the private Gulfstream V, looking dapper in a black suit over a white T-shirt, before being driven straight off the tarmac.
The Hyatt Regency lobby turned chaotic as fans sprinted across corridors shouting "Messi! Messi!" that echoed well past dawn.
The lobby resembled an Argentine fan club, dotted with sky-blue jerseys, scarves and flags. Breast-feeding infants clung to mothers, children raced around, and exhausted supporters sank into lobby sofas as the frenzy built up.
Messi checked into Room 730, with the entire seventh floor sealed off to ensure no movement around his suite.
With security at its peak, some fans who could afford it booked rooms in the hotel to stay as close to Messi as possible.
A family from New Alipore checked in a day early just so that their son, Krish Gupta, a Cristiano Ronaldo fan, would not miss a Messi moment.
"I'm a die-hard Ronaldo fan, so what? His biggest rival is coming to my city and I cannot miss the moment. So we planned to stay in the hotel a day in advance," said Krish, a Class 9 student of Birla High School.
He roamed the coffee shop with his mother and elder sister, anxious for a peek at the icon.
"I just want to tell him to play football with me. And if I'm not successful, I will go to the gym tomorrow morning to catch a glimpse of him. I have my autograph book ready and hopefully I will get a selfie."
High hopes
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Satadru Dutta, the sole promoter of the tour who received Messi at the airport, said the moment was historic for Kolkata.
"In 2011, he had come after becoming the captain, but now he is coming after winning the World Cup and his eighth Ballon d'Or. So, this is really special. I don't think he will come again, so it's about celebration," Dutta told reporters.
He said Messi's presence could give Indian football a real push.
"Never ever have so many sponsors come together for a football star. You can say this is for Messi, but even if 10 per cent of that money comes to the development of Indian football, it would be very big. This statue that has come up and will be unveiled in the morning is also the first-of-its-kind in the world. Messi is set to leave a legacy behind this time," he added.
Security was tightened across the city ahead of Messi's GOAT India Tour, with policemen at every crossing, sniffer dogs checking vehicles and heightened surveillance around the hotel.
Staff were busy preparing the themed decor, including two large three-layered fondant cakes in Christmas colours.
Outside the airport and later near the hotel, massive crowds braved the winter chill to welcome Messi.
Fans waved Argentina flags and jerseys, screamed his name and broke into chants as emotions ran high, some clapping, some crying, many overwhelmed at witnessing a once-in-a-generation legend in their city.
The Hyatt Regency became the epicentre of the frenzy, with street vendors selling scarves, flags and Messi No 10 jerseys.
A few fans turned up in wigs and full Argentine colours. "This is a lifetime opportunity. We will not sleep tonight and will head straight to the stadium in the morning. Today is celebration day," said one fan.
The Itinerary
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Messi begins his GOAT India Tour on Saturday with a sponsors' meet-and-greet before heading to the Salt Lake Stadium for a tribute programme featuring music, dance and an exhibition match between Mohun Bagan 'Messi' All Stars and Diamond Harbour 'Messi' All Stars.
He is scheduled to arrive at 10.50 am for interactions with both teams, a felicitation of Bengal's Santosh Trophy-winning side and a "Master Class with Messi" for kids. Luis Suárez, Rodrigo De Paul and Shah Rukh Khan will join the proceedings, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other dignitaries invited.
Messi will take a lap of honour before a virtual unveiling of his 70-foot statue at Lake Town.
He will then depart for Hyderabad at 2.05 pm for the evening leg at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, featuring a short exhibition match, a five-minute appearance by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, a football clinic and felicitation.
He then heads to Mumbai for his event at the Wankhede. The leg will also feature a 45-minute philanthropic fashion event with Suárez and De Paul, preceded by a Padel Cup at the CCI.
The tour ends in Delhi where Messi will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Minerva Academy's triple youth-trophy winners will be felicitated, followed by a nine-a-side celebrity match.
Kolkata's tryst with footballers
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Kolkata's bond with football royalty dates back to 1977 when Pele's New York Cosmos played a 2-2 draw against Mohun Bagan at Eden Gardens.
Pele returned in 2015 to greet the class of '77, telling the crowd: "You can never have another Pele."
Brazil's Dunga, Bebeto and Mauro Silva, and Colombia's René Higuita who showcased his scorpion-kick saves in 2012 all drew big turnouts. German great Oliver Kahn's 2008 farewell match at Salt Lake Stadium pulled more than one lakh spectators.
But no one stirred the city like Diego Maradona, whose 2008 and 2017 visits saw near-unprecedented crowds line the streets and stadiums. Uruguay's Diego Forlán, fresh from his Golden Ball win, received a similarly rousing welcome in 2010.
Then in 2011, Messi had visited the city captaining Argentina for the first time on foreign soil, leading them to a 1-0 win over Venezuela in an FIFA international friendly before a packed Salt Lake Stadium.
