TMC attacks Nisith over nationality, BJP asks for proof

Kolkata: Rajya Sabha MP and Assam Congress leader Ripun Bora’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a probe into

Union minister

of state for home Nisith Pramanik’s nationality, reignited the controversy in

Bengal

on Saturday. Two state ministers and Trinamool Congress leaders — Bratya Basu and Indranil Sen — took to Twitter to attack Pramanik on the issue while Bengal BJP demanded that the ministers provide proof of their allegations.

Bora took to Twitter as well and said media reports suggested Pramanik was a “Bangladeshi national”. Sharing his letter to the PM on his Twitter handle, Bora wrote: “It’s a matter of grave concern that a foreign national is an incumbent Union minister. Urging PM@narendramodi in a letter to conduct an enquiry to clarify it.” Citing media reports, he alleged that Pramanik was born in Harinathpur (Bangladesh) and had come to India to study computers. He claimed it was “a serious matter” if a foreign national was appointed as a Union minister.

State education minister Basu tweeted: “Rajya Sabha MP @ripunbora asking all the right questions! Several news channels have reported that @NisithPramanik is a citizen of Bangladesh. Did no amount of background check happen before his appointment?! And let’s not forget the innumerable criminal cases...Shame!”

Bengal information and cultural affairs minister Sen posted: “Shocked and stunned to learn that Union Minister @NisithPramanik might be a citizen of Bangladesh! This is of alarming concern to the security of India if an incumbent Union Minister is a foreign national. How could the @narendramodi Govt. allow for such a security lapse?”

Pramanik has not issued any statement on the allegations, but the BJP has rubbished them. Bengal BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu said: “These are just unsubstantiated allegations that do not have any base. If they have proof to back their allegations, they should submit that to the President of India instead of making hollow statements to the media.”

The BJP leader added: “Even if we considered their allegations to be true for the sake of debate, it is well in tune with the declared policy of the BJP. Any Hindu is an Indian citizen. The Citizenship Amendment Act is in place and these allegations are just a political ploy. These allegations neither have any political nor any legal significance.”

BJP state spokesperson Shamik Bhatacharya echoed Sayantan Basu. “Would request the state ministers to first furnish proof. Mere allegations do not help much,” he said.