BJP Asks Centre and EC to Take Note of TMC MLA’s Alleged Statement About ‘Bangladeshi’ Immigrants

GG News Bureau

Kolkata, 18th Nov. The BJP leadership in Bengal urged the union home ministry and the Election Commission on Friday to take note of comments made by a TMC MLA who allegedly asked party workers to ensure that only ‘Bangladeshi’ immigrants in the state who support the ruling party are listed as voters.

According to the BJP, such remarks from an elected representative are harmful to national security.

A video circulated on social media of a West Bengal MLA allegedly asking TMC workers to ensure that only Bangladeshi immigrants who support the state’s ruling party are listed as voters has sparked outrage in the state.

The state and the rest of the country are revising their electoral rolls.

In the alleged video, Bardhaman Dakshin MLA Khokan Das says, “Many new people are coming…they are from Bangladesh.” Many of these people vote for the BJP because they are Hindu. Please ensure that only those who support our party are listed as voters.” On Tuesday evening, the legislator was apparently addressing a public meeting in Bardhaman town.

We could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

“We request the union home ministry to take cognizance in this matter. Such comments coming from an MLA of the ruling party are detrimental to national security. Such statements can’t be taken lightly,” Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said.

The West Bengal BJP leadership has also written to West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer, requesting immediate action against the TMC MLA.

“We have written to the Election Commission and have requested them to take immediate action against the TMC MLA. In many places, the party in power is using its influence to manipulate the electoral rolls, and the district administration is a mute spectator. The EC must look into the matter,” another state BJP leader said.

The TMC leadership, on the other hand, dismissed the BJP’s complaints as unimportant.

“The BJP is a spent force in the state. They have nothing to do except crib over every issue. The TMC nowhere is trying to influence the electoral rolls,” senior TMC leader Sougata Roy said.