Kolkata, 15 April 15 (H.S.) -As West Bengal ushered in the Bengali New Year with joy and celebration, the day also turned into a platform for political messaging by the state's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Both parties organised vibrant processions in different parts of Kolkata, but the recent violence in Murshidabad district cast a discernible political shadow over the festivities.

In South Kolkata, the TMC's procession was led by State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya. The rally featured a large number of women dressed in traditional Bengali attire, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the dhak and cultural songs like Banglar Maati Banglar Jol. The colourful rally moved through Rasbehari Avenue, drawing attention from locals and passersby.

Speaking during the event, Bhattacharya said, “On this Bengali New Year, let us resolve to defeat those forces that seek to break Bengal’s centuries-old Hindu-Muslim unity and peaceful coexistence. This is the land of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, which will never support divisive politics.” While she did not directly name the BJP, her comments were clearly targeted at the party, accusing it of spreading hatred and division. “The people of Bengal will never accept those who propagate communal discord,” she added.

Meanwhile, in Central Kolkata, the BJP held its own New Year procession attended by senior leaders including former state president Dilip Ghosh, MP Agnimitra Paul, and leader Samik Bhattacharya. Addressing the gathering, Ghosh declared, “Let us resolve this New Year to remove the TMC government that thrives on appeasement politics. The government has turned a blind eye to the violence by Islamic jihadists in Murshidabad and other parts of the state. They are letting Bengal turn into another Bangladesh.”

He alleged that Bengali Hindus were fleeing their homes in Murshidabad due to violence and accused local TMC MPs and MLAs of failing to ensure their safety. “This New Year is particularly significant as it comes under the shadow of riots and targeted attacks on Hindu properties,” he remarked.

Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, speaking at another New Year rally in Tamluk, East Midnapore, also raised concerns about the state’s law and order situation. “The time has come to end the attacks by jihadi elements in Bengal and the misrule of the Mamata Banerjee-led government,” he said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh