'Anti-Bengali party': Mamata vs BJP over puja pandal permission row

NEW DELHI: The BJP and TMC on Wednesday traded sharp barbs in West Bengal as the assembly elections draw near, turning the political battlefield increasingly charged. New BJP chief Nitin Nabin accused the Mamata government of double standards, alleging that Hindus must seek permission to set up puja pandals, while Muslims are allowed to offer namaz. Meanwhile, chief minister Mamata Banerjee, speaking at a rally in North Bengal, called the BJP “anti-Bengali.”Nabin claimed that citizens are forced to approach the high court to set up puja pandals. After offering prayers at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple in North 24 Parganas, he described the alleged disparity between permissions for Durga Puja and other religious activities as “unfortunate.” Speaking to reporters, Nitin Nabin said, "I received blessings here in Maa's darbar. I also prayed before Maa Kali because in this state, one has to seek permission from the high court to set up puja pandal while permission is given for offering namaz. This is unfortunate. We have sought Maa's blessings to make the state 'Sonar Bangla' and Viksit Bengal."Nitin Nabin’s visit to the historic Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata marked the second day of his organisational tour in West Bengal, aimed at reviewing the BJP’s preparedness for the upcoming assembly elections.Meanwhile, TMC supremo and CM Mamata hit back during her poll rally. She said, "There are serious concerns that genuine voters’ names have been deleted from the electoral rolls. This raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the election process. At the same time, questions are being raised about identity and citizenship, who is being recognised as a legitimate Indian voter and on what basis? The BJP has been asked to respond to this."Addressing her rally in Maynaguri, she further charged, "BJP [is an] anti-Bengali party, beating up Bengalis in other states." She also warned, "Today they are snatching voting rights, tomorrow they will snatch citizenship through NRC."On the same occasion, Mamata advised, "Would ask our candidates to take lawyers with them to file nomination as many nominations [have been] cancelled in Assam," PTI reported.