Abhishek slams BJP, Humayun Kabir over religion politics

Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday accused the BJP and Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party of seeking votes in the name of religion while ignoring basic issues such as livelihood and food.

Addressing a rally in support of the TMC candidate in Naoda Assembly constituency in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, the TMC national general secretary alleged that while the BJP was doing “temple politics”, Kabir was indulging in “masjid politics”, neglecting issues like development and employment.

“In Murshidabad, while BJP is conspiring to foment riots during Ram Navami processions, Kabir is misleading people in the name of laying the foundation stone of a mosque named after Babri Masjid,” he said.

Vowing that he and others would practise religion privately, Banerjee said, “Those who seek votes in the name of mandir or masjid are politically, morally and ideologically bankrupt.”

Banerjee claimed that Kabir, who was suspended by the TMC, had a tacit understanding with the BJP leadership and lacked concern for the Muslim community.