Not just Inshallah, say Jai Shri Ram too: Himanta Sarma's dig at Mamata Banerjee

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that Mamata Banerjee frequently uses phrases like 'Inshaallah' and 'Khuda Hafiz' in her speeches, but refrains from saying 'Jai Shri Ram' at her rallies.

In Short

• West Bengal votes in 152 seats in first phase, BJP and TMC in direct fight
• Assam CM accuses Mamata Banerjee of ignoring Hindu slogans in speeches
• Himanta Sarma urges Banerjee to also say ‘Jai Shri Ram’, invoke Hindu goddesses

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp attack on his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of invoking only Muslim slogans and greetings in her speeches while ignoring Hindu expressions such as “Jai Shri Ram”. The BJP leader alleged that the Trinamool Congress chief tends to overlook the Hindu population in the state during election campaigns.

“Watch any video of Mamata didi’s speeches. She takes the mic and goes to the right and says ‘Inshallah’ and goes to the left and says ‘Khuda Hafiz’. Mamata didi, there is ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in the world as well,” Sarma said at a public rally on Wednesday.

Continuing his criticism, Sarma said that while saying Inshallah is acceptable, Banerjee should also “learn to say ‘Jai Shri Ram’ sometimes” and invoke “Maa Durga and Maa Kali,” adding that “otherwise, you will not find peace even after losing the election”. He further alleged that Banerjee “sometimes forgets that Hindus are also present in Bengal.”

The Assam Chief Minister also targeted the West Bengal government over remarks attributed to former Trinamool MLA Humayun Kabir regarding the construction of a Babri Masjid in the state, a narrative frequently raised by the BJP in the run-up to the polls.

“In Mamata didi’s Bengal, someone will build Babri Masjid, someone will build Humayun’s mosque, someone will build Shahjahan’s mosque,” Sarma said, questioning Kabir: “Is this your father’s property? Will you build Babri Masjid wherever you wish?”

Earlier in the day, Sarma also challenged Banerjee to a fish-eating contest, countering Trinamool Congress claims that the BJP would impose restrictions on non-vegetarian food if voted to power. He said that in BJP-ruled Assam, people consume fish and meat “with full relish,” rejecting allegations that the party promotes a vegetarian-only culture. He even invited the Bengal Chief Minister to his home for the contest, offering to travel to her residence if required.

West Bengal is voting in 152 constituencies in the first phase of the Assembly elections, with the BJP and the Trinamool Congress locked in a direct contest. The opening phase covers more than half of the state’s 294 seats and is seen as the BJP’s best chance for an early breakthrough, as well as a crucial test for the ruling Trinamool Congress in its bid for a fourth consecutive term.

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