Kolkata, 02 April (H.S.): The All India Trinamool Congress has issued an unconditional apology over controversial remarks made by party Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra regarding the Gujarati community, after the comments triggered political backlash ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

At a recent press conference, Moitra had questioned the contribution of Gujaratis to India’s freedom struggle, drawing criticism from opposition parties. Her remarks quickly became a political flashpoint in the poll-bound state.

Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari of the Bharatiya Janata Party, raised the issue during his election campaign, particularly in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, which has a significant Gujarati voter population.

Adhikari urged members of the Gujarati community to respond through the ballot, highlighting the legacy of freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, both of whom hailed from Gujarat.

Notably, Adhikari is contesting against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress candidate from Bhabanipur. He is also in the fray from his traditional seat of Nandigram in East Midnapore district.

Amid concerns that the controversy could impact the party’s prospects in the two-phase Assembly elections scheduled later this month, the Trinamool Congress asked Bhabanipur councillor Ashim Basu to publicly condemn Moitra’s remarks and convey the party’s apology.

In a video statement shared on social media, Basu read out a message from the Chief Minister expressing regret over the comments.

“I personally apologise to my Gujarati brothers and sisters. I am proud of you. This matter has been discussed with the concerned MP. We do not condone such comments. I apologise for such irresponsible remarks,” Banerjee said in the statement.

Later, senior Trinamool Congress leader and party candidate from the Beliaghata seat, Kunal Ghosh, also distanced the party from Moitra’s remarks.

“I strongly oppose such comments. This is her personal opinion. The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was from Gujarat. We do not believe in any form of provincialism. Many Bengalis have professional links with Gujarat and we respect the state and its people,” Ghosh said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh