TMC-BJP Spar Over Mamatas Harmony Rally Amid Ayodhya Temple Consecration

The Calcutta High Courts approval of Mamata Banerjees harmony rally on January 22, coinciding with the Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya, has sparked a heated exchange of verbal jabs between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP.

The Calcutta High Court's approval of Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee's harmony rally on January 22, coinciding with the Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya, has ignited a heated exchange of verbal jabs between the ruling TMC and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

TMC Welcomes Court's Decision, BJP Raises Concerns

The Trinamool Congress welcomed the court's decision, interpreting it as a triumph over perceived communal designs by the saffron camp. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh stated, "We welcome the Calcutta High Court order regarding the rally. It is a tight slap for the BJP leaders who had moved the court trying to stop it. This is a victory of the people over the communal designs by the BJP." Ghosh further claimed that the rally is not related to the Ram Mandir inauguration, emphasizing its association with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary on January 23 and Republic Day on January 26.

The BJP swiftly responded to the TMC's remarks, characterizing the rally as a strategic move to stoke communal tensions in the state in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha polls. BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya remarked, "Earlier we have seen the state getting engulfed in communal riots during Ram Navami processions." BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar supported Adhikari's decision to move the court, stating, "The state government in its bid to appease a specific community time and again has taken steps which are against the Hindu community. We feel that this rally will be an attempt by the TMC to flare up communal passions. We are opposing this tendency."

Governor Seeks Details of Security Arrangements

In response to concerns from opposition parties about a potential law and order crisis in West Bengal on the day of the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, Governor CV Ananda Bose wrote to Chief Secretary BP Gopalika requesting details of the security arrangements in the state.

Rally Details and Proposed Route

Sources within the TMC revealed that Mamata Banerjee, who had announced her intention to lead a rally for harmony in Kolkata on January 22 from the Hazra crossing in south Kolkata, after paying homage to Goddess Kali at the Kalighat temple, plans to visit various places of worship representing different religions, including mosques, churches, and gurdwaras. The rally is slated to culminate at the Park Circus Maidan with a mega gathering.

Political Accusations and Counter-Accusations

Senior TMC leader and West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya criticized the BJP for allegedly attempting to communalize and politicize a rally conducted for a public cause. She asserted, "The rally has nothing to do with any political programme by the BJP. So what is the harm in conducting a harmony rally in the state? By opposing the rally, the BJP has exposed its communal designs."

The BJP, in response to Ghosh's remarks, claimed that the TMC government has a poor track record in handling communal disturbances. Referring to communal riots during Ram Navami processions in March last year, the BJP emphasized concerns over potential communal passions allegedly being flared up by the TMC through the upcoming rally.

CPI(M) Weighs In

Senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty commented on the ongoing political tensions, stating, "Both the TMC and the BJP are trying to divert attention from the real issues of livelihood and unemployment."

Ram Temple Consecration and Expected Attendees

The Ram temple in Ayodhya is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 22, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and over 6,000 attendees expected to participate in the programme.

The Calcutta High Court's approval of Mamata Banerjee's harmony rally has ignited a heated political debate in West Bengal, with the TMC and BJP trading accusations and counter-accusations. As the state prepares for the upcoming rally and the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, concerns over potential communal tensions and law and order issues remain at the forefront.