From Kali To Didi, TMC-BJP War Of Words Continue In Bengal

| Updated: 07 July, 2022 10:58 pm IST

Mahua Moitra and Dilip Ghosh

KOLKATA: The political rivalry between the ruling Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is getting hotter by the day ahead of the scheduled panchayat election in 2023.

Under fire for its leader Mahua Moitra’s comments defending a derogatory documentary film poster of Goddess Kali, TMC leaders on Thursday met Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar demanding an “unconditional apology” from one of BJP national vice-presidents Dilip Ghosh for his comments on Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee’s family lineage.

Interestingly, both Moitra and Ghosh made the comments in the same conclave hosted by a television channel.

As the BJP took a strong stance against the Moitra comments, TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who is also the nephew of Bengal CM, demanded Ghosh’s arrest.

“Dilip Ghosh holds a profile where his comments might lead to widespread impact on the people of this country. His repeated callous remarks set out a dangerous example for the youth of the country,” TMC noted in their letter to the Governor.

“Dilip Ghosh’s remarks regarding the lineage of Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee were not only extremely disrespectful but also highly misogynistic in nature. As the only sitting female Chief Minister in India, Mamata Banerjee has overcome several hardships in her journey as a woman political leader…,” TMC delegation after they met with the Governor.

TMC also brought Ghosh’s comment made in February 2021 questioning the parental lineage of Goddess Durga comparing it with Lord Ram which had sparked a row then.

Interestingly, one of the most revered temples of Goddess Kali, Dakhineshwar Kali Temple has not made any comments on Moitra though they had commented on the poster.

“We are all worshipers of Maa Kali. Holding a cigarette in her hand is hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community. In many places, maa is given alcohol and goats are sacrificed. But holding a cigarette is highly reprehensible. We are strongly opposed to it,” the temple committee had said.