Kolkata, Jan 12 (NationPress) A debate has ignited over a poster featuring Trinamool Congress' All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee outside Swami Vivekananda's ancestral home on Simla Street in North Kolkata on Monday.

The BJP vehemently criticized the poster, asserting that it solely showcased Abhishek Banerjee's likeness and excluded any representation of Swami Vivekananda, despite the message 'Welcome, Crown Prince' emblazoned on it.

The BJP argued that by placing such a poster in front of Swami Vivekananda's residence, particularly on his birth anniversary, the Trinamool Congress has disrespected Vivekananda himself.

In response, the Trinamool Congress dismissed these claims and questioned the BJP's own posters and banners.

Monday commemorated the 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Early in the morning, the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar visited Simla Street to honor the occasion.

Abhishek Banerjee is also expected to visit later in the day to pay his respects to Vivekananda. The poster welcoming him was displayed by Jorasanko MLA Vivek Gupta in front of Swami Vivekananda's house.

Suvendu Adhikari, criticizing the poster, stated, "Swami Vivekananda is the true crown prince. No one else holds that title. For the past 33 years, I have come here every year on Swamiji's birthday to display hoardings and banners without even letting my name be mentioned. In contrast, their arrogance is evident as the Chief Minister's nephew is referred to as 'Yuvraj'. I learned that the local leader had instructed councillors not to display anyone else's photograph. Even then, they disregarded it."

Supporting this viewpoint, Sukanta Majumdar remarked, "Swamiji roamed these streets once. Now, it’s coal thieves and cow thieves that walk around. The people of Bengal must uproot them, or a genius like Vivekananda will never grace this land again."

The BJP also held a 'Vivek Yatra' from Hedua to Shimla Street to pay tribute to Swamiji. Present were State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya, State Yuva Morcha President Indranil Khan, and North Kolkata District BJP President Tamoghna Ghosh, alongside Suvendu Adhikari and Sukanta Majumdar.

However, the Trinamool Congress leaders asserted that their supporters view Abhishek as a 'crown prince', and thus, the hoarding was created in admiration, not to insult Swamiji.

Party spokesperson Arup Chakraborty defended, "Central Minister Sukanta Majumdar, a former BJP state president, labeled Vivekananda a 'confused Leftist'. I refuse to heed the BJP's lecture on Vivekananda. Ultimately, Vivekananda is Narendranath Datta and stands as a symbol of the Bengalis' emotions and self-respect."

State Minister Shashi Panja posed a counter-question regarding the BJP's posters, which bore Swamiji's message, 'Proudly say that I am a Hindu'.

Shashi Panja criticized the BJP, stating, "Instead of such a message, they could have chosen another, like proudly proclaiming that I am a human being."

On the matter of Abhishek Banerjee's photograph, the state minister commented, "I fail to understand why this is under scrutiny. Popular leaders are regarded and cherished uniquely by their followers. Abhishek is perceived as a prince by his followers, and there is no intention to insult anyone. This is merely a reflection of the people's affection for their beloved leader."