Biswabrata Goswami
KRISHNAGAR, 17 FEB: In a striking public appeal ahead of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) home minister’s visit, Trinamul Congress MP Mahua Moitra questioned the commitment of Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to West Bengal beyond election cycles. Speaking on Tuesday, Ms Moitra urged Mr Shah to go beyond the scheduled visit to the Mayapur ISKCON temple and show attention to the region throughout the year.
“We have received news that our Honorable Home Minister, Amit Shah, is coming to our area and visiting the Mayapur ISKCON temple. I welcome him, but I have only one question: Amit Shah ji, why do you and Modi ji forget about us?” Ms Moitra said, addressing the BJP leadership directly. She called for regular visits, not just brief appearances during election season, and suggested Mr Shah should visit other local temples, including the Siddheshwari Kali Temple in Krishnagar, seeking blessings to ensure success in Bengal.
Ms Moitra’s remarks highlighted a mix of political satire and cultural sentiment, blending a challenge to the BJP leadership with local religious symbolism. “We want you to come even after the elections because when you visit this time, don’t just go to Mayapur. Visit all the temples in our area…because in the battle you are facing in Bengal this time, you won’t succeed unless all the gods and goddesses bless you,” she added.
She concluded with a pointed yet cordial note: “Thank you very much, and I hope that even after you lose, you will return to us with the same love. That is my hope from you.”
Ms Moitra’s statements come ahead of Mr Shah’s Wednesday visit, which is expected to draw significant public and political attention in the run-up to the state elections, underlining the tense political context in West Bengal as parties mobilize both faith and popular sentiment.
