TMC-BJP war of words as Kabir starts building his ‘Babri masjid’

Rejinagar/Kolkata: Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir, recently suspended from Trinamool, began the construction of the much-hyped ‘Babri Masjid-style' mosque in Murshidabad, prompting a war of words between TMC and BJP. Kabir, who recently floated the Janata Unnayan Party, announced that the mosque at Rejinagar would be completed within two years and would cost around Rs 50-55 crore.Calling Kabir a "BJP puppet", TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: "Where was his love for Babri Masjid when he took the flag of those who demolished it and fought on a BJP ticket in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls? BJP employs such puppets on poll eve to split votes, but people in Bengal know who fights for them. These political antics should be ignored. These antics coinciding with board examinations in Bengal is deplorable politics."
BJP, on the other hand, targeted TMC. Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Union minister Bhupendra Yadav said, "The construction of Babri Masjid is illegal. Such illegal activities cannot happen without a nod from the CM. This is part of her appeasement politics.""Kabir cannot be seen to be separate from TMC. He is part of TMC's plan B. The CM is silent on the issue of appeasement, but the nation is not ready to accept that. This election will unite the forces against separatist sentiments in Murshidabad," said Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya.State Congress also questioned Kabir's motives, saying he was trying to fan a Trinamool-BJP binary. Bengal president Subhankar Sarkar said: "Kabir's moves are part of the binary TMC and BJP are trying to create. Congress is the only party in India that thinks about the development of Hindus and Muslims without indulging in ‘mandir-masjid' diatribe." CPM's Sujan Chakraborty said, "I find no reason to attach any more importance to Humayun Kabir."As hundreds began the brick-laying for the mosque around noon, Kabir said, "To those who are opposing, I would say, step aside. People are free to follow their own religion and build temples, churches, or whatever they wish. I will not oppose anyone. My efforts are only to perform my devotion. I don't intend to impose anything."He added that the scheduled ‘Babri Yatra' — a scheduled 235-km rally — will be on hold. Instead, Kabir would hold a 22-km march from Nadia's Palashi to Murshidabad's Beldanga.