An apex body of Muslim clerics and intellectuals in north Bengal has decided to highlight the consequences of the National Register of Citizens and campaign against “a political force that believes in religious polarisation”.

The Uttarbanga Imam Muezzin Muslim Buddhijibi Aikya Mancha also said it would campaign in such a way that votes of the minority community went to the party that could thwart the proponents of the NRC.

The Mancha’s campaign is perceived to be against the BJP and in favour of the Trinamul Congress.

“A political force that believes in religious polarisation is active in Bengal. It has planned to introduce the NRC in Bengal after if it is voted to power. In the neighbouring Assam, names of 19 lakh residents are not on the NRC. All of them are not Muslims but several people are Bengali Hindus. That is why we feel it is necessary to explain to the people in Bengal the consequences of the NRC so that they can thwart this political party,” Abdul Jalil, the president of the Mancha, told journalists here on Wednesday.

The organisation, the office-bearers said, comprises representatives of different apolitical organisations which are working in north Bengal.

In north Bengal, Assembly elections will start on April 10, that is the fourth phase. The region has 54 Assembly constituencies. Muslim votes determine verdict in around 20 seats.

“We are not associated with any political party but would request common people to cast their votes in such a manner that the political force that we want to stop does not get any benefit through division of votes. They should consider political parties which are vocal against the NRC. Our focus will be on minority-dominated areas,” said Bazlur Rehman, the vice-president of the Mancha.

The move, political observers said, can benefit Trinamul. They said a section of the Nasya Sheikhs (Rajbanshi Muslims) was aggrieved as Trinamul didn’t field any candidate of the community in the elections.

“People living in districts like Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar, which are close to Assam, can easily understand the NRC’s consequences. Their relatives stay in Assam and have not made it to the NRC. A campaign by the organisation can help in mollifying the aggrieved Rajbanshi Muslims and make them side with Trinamul,” said an observer.

Showcause

The Trinamul Congress has showcaused six office-bearers in the Dinhata subdivision of Cooch Behar district, asking them to explain why they are abstaining from election campaigns. They have been asked to reply within three days.