Kolkata, April 17 (IANS) West Bengal Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim on Friday mounted a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging that electoral politics has shifted from ideological contest to “fake narratives, social media misinformation and agency pressure”, while strongly defending his Trinamool Congress government’s development record and governance model.
Hakim said that earlier elections were fought as clear political battles, particularly during the era of the Left Front, but claimed that the nature of political competition has changed significantly in recent years.
“Earlier, we used to fight political battles with the Left on the streets. Now, when we fight the BJP, it is not just political. It becomes a battle involving agencies and misleading content on social media, along with personal attacks,” he said.
Taking a sharp swipe at the BJP, Hakim asserted that the party would not come to power in West Bengal. “BJP government will not come, 100 per cent it will not come,” he said, while alleging incidents of violence linked to food choices in BJP-ruled states and claiming their ideology does not accept non-vegetarian practices.
He also took aim at food politics, challenging BJP leaders. “Ask them to sit and eat with me. I will cook non-vegetarian food. Will they eat at the same table? Restrictions on food habits are being promoted in states with double-engine governments,” he alleged.
Hakim also accused the BJP of attempting to polarise voters through religious narratives. Referring to recent controversies involving AJUP founder Humayun Kabir, a former party legislator, he said the Trinamool had taken disciplinary action after objections were raised. “We suspended and removed him. It is not about religion or any historical issue. It is about money and political manipulation. Religious sentiments are being used to divide votes,” he said.
He further trashed the BJP’s attempts to brand the Trinamool’s politics “appeasement”, rejecting the charge outright. “They call it appeasement, but this is their agenda. We have worked for the upliftment of backward communities and overall social development,” he said, adding that progress in areas like Amlasole reflected the state’s transformation over the years.
On secularism and rights, Hakim said the issue goes beyond minority-majority divisions. “Minority and majority are both there. All secular-minded people are under threat. We are born with equal rights given by the Indian Constitution, not by any government or the Election Commission. These rights cannot be taken away,” he said.
He also stressed that religion remains a personal matter and should not be dragged into politics. “I am religious. I do Durga Puja, and I am associated with a mosque as well. But religion is personal. If you bring it to the streets, it becomes wrong,” he said.
On the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Hakim criticised what he called the Narendra Modi government’s unilateral approach to major legal reforms. “You are an elected Prime Minister, not a king. You cannot change rights overnight. There are Parliament, parties, and constitutional processes. Personal laws exist for different communities and must be discussed with all stakeholders,” he said.
The minister also commented on language and identity politics, stating that Urdu is an Indian language and should not be linked to religion. Citing historical examples, he said leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh also engaged with Urdu, and added that attaching language to religion was “wrong”.
On governance in West Bengal, Hakim highlighted the Trinamool government’s development agenda, including welfare schemes, infrastructure growth, job creation, and improvements in civic facilities. He claimed that earlier issues, such as backwardness in certain regions, had been addressed through sustained development efforts.
Rejecting allegations of electoral malpractice, he said the Trinamool relies on public support rather than “rigging or coercion”. He challenged critics to verify claims of irregularities, stating that even one proven complaint would lead him to accept accountability.
On the issue of alleged “infiltrators” and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, Hakim questioned the Centre’s role. “If someone is entering the country, whose responsibility is it to stop them at the border? Why is there no vigilance by the BSF?” he asked, targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He also suggested that such narratives are being politically weaponised ahead of elections.
Expressing confidence in the party’s future prospects, Hakim said he believes the people of West Bengal continue to support its development model. “We are confident of public support. People will judge us on work done, not on propaganda,” he said.
Rejecting allegations of electoral malpractice, he said the Trinamool does not rely on rigging. “We do not need to give ‘chappa vote’. Our work among people brings us votes. If even one person proves they were denied voting, I will take the matter to a magistrate myself,” he said.
Hakim reiterated that elections should remain focused on governance and development rather than identity politics, asserting that secular values and constitutional rights must be protected in the democratic process.
–IANS
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