On Wednesday (17th July), the BJP leader from West Bengal indicated that the center and the state should work for the betterment of those who support them and the national development. He slammed the minority community and said that all those, be they Hindus or Muslims who think about the nation first can expect complete support and cooperation from the state. He opined this as he called for the dissolution of the party’s minority wing.
“I have spoken about nationalist Muslims and you all said “Sabka sath, sabka vikas”. But I shall say it no more! Rather we shall now say “Jo hamare sath hum unke sath. Sabka sath sabka vikas band karo!” No need for minority morcha,” Suvendu Adhikari said while speaking at the BJP state executive meeting in Kolkata.
#WATCH | At BJP state executive meeting in Kolkata, West Bengal LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari says, "…I had spoken about nationalist Muslims and you too had said 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. But I will not say this anymore. Instead, we will now say, 'Jo Hamare Saath, Hum… pic.twitter.com/mvqKGuJ9iN
— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ expression in 2014 to encourage inclusive and holistic development for all Indians, regardless of caste or religion.
As a backlash developed over his words, Adhikari stated that PM Modi’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ slogan represented the NDA government’s aim, and he meant to emphasize that the BJP in Bengal should connect with those who support them politically.
“Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is PM Modi’s slogan, and it won’t change with my words… What I meant was the BJP in Bengal should align with those who support them politically, and we should keep a safe distance from those who won’t come with usâ€æ it is not connected with the administration or development,” Adhikari said.
“Swami Vivekananda himself said that one should have faith in one’s religion and show respect for the religion of others. There is no need to disrespect the religion of others,” he further said.
However, later he said that his statements were wrongly perceived and that he completely believed in Prime Minister’s call for Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas.
“My statement is being taken out of context. I am clear that those who are Nationalists, stand for this Nation and Bengal, we should be with them. Those who don’t stand with us, work against the interest of Nation and Bengal, we need to expose them,” he added.
“Also, like Mamata Banerjee, we shouldn’t divide people in majority and minority, but see them as Indians. I embody in letter and spirit, Prime Minister’s call for Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,” he clarified.
My statement is being taken out of context. I am clear that those who are Nationalists, stand for this Nation and Bengal, we should be with them. Those who don’t stand with us, work against the interest of Nation and Bengal, we need to expose them. Also, like Mamata Banerjee, we…
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) July 17, 2024
Meanwhile, Assam CM and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma also made similar claims concerning the changing demography of the state. He said that the Muslim population in the state of Assam was increasing and that was a point of concern for him.
“Changing demography is a big issue for me. In Assam, Muslim population has reached 40% today. In 1951, it was 12%. We have lost many districts. This is not a political issue for me. It is a matter of life and death for me,” he added.
#WATCH | Ranchi | Assam CM & BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma says, "…Changing demography is a big issue for me. In Assam, Muslim population has reached 40% today. In 1951, it was 12%. We have lost many districts. This is not a political issue for me. It is a matter of life and… pic.twitter.com/N11lpEGUfg
— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2024
While addressing the Vijay Sankalp Sabha in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Sarma further said that the state should look into infiltrators and work to remove them. “The infiltrators first enter Assam and West Bengal and then go to Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh…Jharkhand HC has directed the State government to detect the infiltrators and deport them. It is the responsibility of the state government to detect and deport. It is not the responsibility of the Central government to do this. I do this work in Assam daily. If you are not fulfilling your responsibility and say that Delhi should do it, then why are you in the chair? You should leave the chair and we will do this work,” he said.
He indicated that the Center should not be blamed and that the state should work to get the infiltrators out of the area.
