Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday urged the people of Bengal to shun religion-based politics and cast their votes on issues like development.
"I urge you to go and cast your votes... You may like to vote in favour of any political party, like the Trinamul, the BJP or the CPM. I will only request you to vote in the name of development, not in the name of religion..." the Diamond Harbour MP said in his address at a public rally on Park Circus Maidan following the culmination of the interfaith march led by Mamata Banerjee.
He used a Hindi couplet — while wrapping up his speech — to highlight the threat of religion facing the society.
"Koi Kehta hain Hindu khatre mein hai, Koi kehta hain Musalmaan khatre mein hai.... Main kehta hun Dharam ka chashma hata ke dekho, poora Hindusthan khatre mein hain (Some are saying the Hindus are in danger, while others are saying Muslims are threatened. I tell them remove the glasses of religion from your eyes… and you’ll find that the entire country is in danger)," said Abhishek, drawing a huge round of applause from the audience.
The Trinamul national general secretary, during his eight-minute address, repeatedly urged the people of Bengal to put up a united battle against the religion-based politics of the saffron ecosystem for the sake of retaining the inclusive character of the state.
"I am feeling proud of the people of my city and the state for protecting the interfaith, harmony and unity of our state at a time when a group of people are flexing their muscles over a religious event," said Abhishek.
"We have to launch an integrated and united movement against that particular force, who have been depriving the people of Bengal... A conspiracy to deprive poor people (of Bengal) has been hatched by misleading them in the name of religion," he added after detailing how the Narendra Modi-led Union government has stopped the flow of funds to Bengal.
Abhishek's participation in the march and the meeting thereafter brought a sigh of relief to a section of Trinamul leaders in the state as there were apprehensions that the No 2 in the party — who has been confining himself to Diamond Harbour, his Lok Sabha constituency, due to some differences with Mamata — may not take part in Monday's programme.
A source said it was not confirmed till late Sunday evening whether he would take part in the rally and the meeting. The Trinamul leader also mentioned that Abhishek decided to join the party programme following a prod from Mamata.
Although Abhishek was present, some leaders in the ruling party pointed out how Abhishek, surrounded by some of his trusted aides, maintained a distance from her aunt.
"He was walking at least 100 meters behind the troop of political and religious leaders with whom Didi was surrounded... His presence was indeed good news, but we are not sure whether the No. 1 and the No. 2 have patched up," said a leader.
But Abhishek showed full obeisance to Mamata during his address as he gave entire credit for organising the interfaith rally to Mamata.
