West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday warned of action against Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir over his alleged remarks against former police and his threat to mobilize people to take to the streets and fill the local jail in Murshidabad.
“Enough is enough. It is time for such people to learn a lesson. I am warning you against making such statements. Control yourself, withdraw such statements and think at least 25 times before making such statements in the future,” Adhikari said in the state Assembly.
Kabir allegedly said that he would not acknowledge Adhikari and the police once he lost control, while BJP leader criticized local governor Anamika Ghosh. Videos of the alleged comments appeared on social media and sparked controversy.
“Even after losing the election, BJP candidate Anamika Ghosh still believes she is an MLA [assembly member]. The BJP thinks they have an MLA here. You told Suvendu Adhikari a few days ago that you wanted to win the elections, and your party did just that. This is good. But tell your people to tone down their rhetoric in Murshidabad. “The day I mobilize Muslims and take to the streets, I will respond so strongly that there will not even be a single person there to carry your party’s flag,” Adhikari quoted Kabir as saying.
Kabir can be heard saying that the Berhampur Central Jail will not accommodate more than 4,800 prisoners and that he will unleash people on the streets and strike hard. “Then we will go to prison. I will see how many days you can keep us in prison and feed us.”
He was heard saying that the day before the election, the officer in charge of the local police station arrested his nephew, while calling for him to be removed and given a non-important position. “If not, I will take 10,000 men to the police station and drag him by the collar. Stop me if you can.”
Adhikari said that Mamata Banerjee is not the Prime Minister anymore. “You have said and done whatever you wanted, as you had a weak chief minister. Two cases were registered in Reginagar and Shaktipur police stations. No one gave you such powers. I know the political reason behind these steps of yours. One of your agendas was to dismantle all the elected panchayats in Bharatpur, Reginagar and Noda and make the leaders join your party. But you are unable to do so. You have won in two assemblies. According to the Law. By-elections will be held within the next two or three months. “You are trying to ensure that your son wins this seat.”
Those who invited Kabir will be selected first, Adhikari said. “I will do whatever it takes. You can assume this is his final statement. This government will establish the rule of law and end the rule of fools.”
Minutes after Adhikari’s warnings, Kabir said his remarks were political and directed against BJP leaders, and attacked him and the police alongside them. He added: “That’s why I criticized them politically. Because he was prime minister.” [Adhikari] He could make such statements. I can’t disagree with him. He has freedom. Before the by-election, if anyone throws a stone at my candidate, I will not serve him rasgullas in turn.
He said they all want change for good governance. “But if the people of Reginagar, Noda and Bildanga are treated differently from the rest of the state, then such things will happen and we will go to jail,” Kabir said.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has pulled a major halt to laying the foundation stone of a mosque on the lines of the Babri Masjid demolished in Ayodhya on December 6 and launching AJUP to contest the elections in alliance with parties like All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). AIMIM ended its alliance with Kabir’s party ahead of the elections after the TMC released a clip purportedly showing Kabir saying he was in touch with the BJP. Kabir was heard saying that he was mobilizing Muslim votes against the then ruling TMC in return $1000 Crores.
