Uncharacteristic of her, the Chief Minister of West Bengal may have revealed her nervousness while referring to a section of the minorities being extremists and taking money from the BJP. She also accused AIMIM, a party from Hyderabad similarly. There could have been no other party other than the Asaduddin Owaisi of the All-India-Majlis-e-Itehadul-Muslimeen. It was a shock and surprise as she has always handled any minorities softly and often taking a partisan stand in favour of them.
The winning of 18 Lok Sabha seats by the BJP, most of them in the North Bengal, would not have been possible without weaning away a sizeable chunk of the Muslim vote bank. The fear in their minds about a possible NCR and their exclusion has not been in any way diluted by either the state government’s initiatives or Mamata’s assurances, despite new ration cards issued to those who did not possess one. These are trivialities when it comes to establishing proof of being in the country before the cutoff date for the sake of inclusion in the NRC.
Owaisi is undoubtedly is the rising star and a spokesman for the Muslim minorities, not only in Hyderabad but all over India. Unlike Mamata, Owaisi has no burden over shoulders either to please and retain the Hindu voters or deftly balance between the two communities, keeping them both in good humour. Mamata’s past, leaning too much towards the minorities cost her profoundly, and she is hurriedly trying to make some amends. The CM’s statement in Cooch Behar could be evidence of her anguish.
There are whispers that Owaisi is a BJP mole and is out to disturb the focused minorities who are against the saffron party, which I dismiss with disdain. Owaisi is a barrister educated in London, articulate and above all, intelligent. He is fiercely patriotic of India as he is faithful with his religion. He has been quietly preparing a blueprint for the battle of West Bengal for the past few years. I know a few dedicated office bearers of the party, many former TMC supporters, who are frustrated with mostly empty promises from the government.
The BJP will continue their onslaught trying to better their performance in West Bengal. But Owaisi’s challenge to her monopolistic sway over the minorities now looms large. Unless the poll strategist, Prashant Kishore, comes up with some new and brilliant ideas, the forthcoming Panchayat and the soon to follow Assembly elections will leave TMC weaker, if not out of power.
By naming Owaisi’s party a Hyderabadi party, Mamata has tried to diminish him and his party, which I think is wrong. I, in her position, would have taken the threat more seriously and try to address them, rather than being dismissive.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
