Is BJP's Mission in Bengal Focused on Improving Conditions for Muslims?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Focus on improving living conditions for all communities, especially Muslims.
- Encouragement of youth towards education over violence.
- A commitment to communal harmony and pluralism in Bengal.
- Criticism of the ruling party for creating fear among communities.
- Highlighting the need for political dialogue and understanding.
Kolkata, July 3 (NationPress) The BJP’s struggle in West Bengal is not aimed at opposing Muslims but at enhancing their living conditions, stated the newly appointed state unit leader Samik Bhattacharya on Thursday, right after his official announcement as the party chair.
It became evident on Wednesday that Bhattacharya, a member of the Rajya Sabha, would ascend to the role of state party president in West Bengal as he was the sole candidate to submit his nomination.
On Thursday, his name was formally declared as the new party state president by Ravi Shankar Prasad, the BJP’s central election observer for West Bengal, who also presented him with the certificate of his election.
“Our battle is not with the Muslims. Instead, we are fighting for you. We wish to see the youth from your community embracing education rather than violence. Our aim is to transform their swords into pens,” Bhattacharya expressed while addressing the media following his announcement as the new state party president.
He emphasized that his objective is to foster an atmosphere of communal harmony within the state.
“We aspire to reach a point where two processions, one for the immersion of Durga Puja idols and the other for Muharram, can traverse the same path without any friction. There should be no communal discord. The essence of pluralism must be upheld in Bengal at all costs. Muslim youths will hear the verses of Kazi Nazrul Islam and not the stories of terrorists,” Bhattacharya added.
During his address, he also accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the ruling Trinamool Congress of misleading the Muslim community by creating a false sense of fear regarding the BJP.
“The upcoming generation will have to determine their political choices. Those who do not wish to vote for us may opt not to. However, keep in mind that 90 percent of the victims in recent violence in West Bengal were Muslims. We aim to liberate West Bengal from this turmoil,” Bhattacharya asserted.