West Bengal: Minister Agnimitra Paul attacks TMC, compares Mamata Banerjee with Dhritarashtra, calls madrasas dens of infiltrators

Amid questions raised over the ongoing survey of madrassas in West Bengal, state cabinet minister Agnimitra Paul on Sunday launched a strong attack on Mamata Banerjee. Comparing Mamata Banerjee to Dhritarashtra of Mahabharata, he described madrassas as safe havens for infiltrators. Paul strongly defended the ongoing survey of madrassas. He clarified that this exercise is extremely necessary to ensure that West Bengal does not become a safe haven for terrorists and infiltrators. Along with this, he also stressed that Muslim students should be brought into the mainstream of the society through modern education.

Agnimitra Paul, in her statement, alleged that the entry of Rohingyas and infiltrators into the state was continuously promoted during the last 15 years of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress regime and the 34 years of the Left Front before that. Emphasizing his point, he said, “In the last 49 years, we have seen how Rohingyas and infiltrators were encouraged and brought into the state.” Minister Paul further said that the government intends that Muslim children should become an integral part of the development journey of the state and that is why there is a strong need to provide modern education in madrassas. He said, “We want Muslim children to be a part of the journey that we are taking for development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.” He also added, “We want modern education to be imparted in madrassas. Muslim children, whether male or female, should become doctors, engineers, IAS officers, scientists and IFS officers. We want them to be part of the team that will take Bengal and India forward.”

Agnimitra Paul’s attack on ‘India’ alliance

BJP leader Paul also launched a scathing attack on the opposition ‘India’ alliance. He claimed that the alliance has now become irrelevant and deep differences are clearly visible among its constituents. He sarcastically said, “It does not matter, because at this time TMC is divided into many pieces. We did not know that TMC would soon become a ‘tukde-tukde gang’.” He also noted the absence of other opposition leaders in the alliance. Paul said, “RJD chief Lalu Prasad is saying that he is ill and will not go. Stalin is saying that DMK will not participate. So who will form the ‘India’ alliance?” Raising the question, he asked, “Where is the India alliance? It has already been rejected by 140 crore people of India.”

TMC weakened under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee: Minister Paul

When asked about the political future of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Paul refused to directly speculate, but alleged that the Trinamool Congress has continuously weakened under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. “The way TMC has disintegrated, be it in Bengal or in parliamentary politics, it is very unfortunate,” he said. Citing the example of Mahabharata, Paul once again directly accused Mamata Banerjee, “Mamata Banerjee has proved herself to be Dhritarashtra. Just as Dhritarashtra was the reason for the fall of Kauravas, because he blindly supported Duryodhana. Similarly, here Banerjee blindly supported Abhishek Banerjee and is responsible for the downfall of TMC.”

Before making these political statements, Agnimitra Paul also held an administrative meeting in North Bengal. He said that the discussions held in this meeting focused intensely on trafficking of women, child marriage, teenage marriage, school dropouts, teenage pregnancy and their root causes. Paul also said that civic issues like waterlogging and illegal buildings were also discussed in detail. “We have discussed municipal problems of all municipalities, including waterlogging and illegal buildings,” he said. He announced plans to build public toilets including at tourist sites. Paul also said that flowers and garlands offered at temples will be processed to make incense sticks, which will be a step towards environmental protection. Announcing the cleanliness drive, he said in a stern tone, “From September 1, we will start imposing fines on those throwing garbage on the roads and those using plastic.” He also talked about fines on illegal parking and modernizing the system to prevent loss of parking revenue, as well as clear demarcation of parking areas.