BJP seeking political gains for 2026 Bengal polls, says Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra
NEW DELHI, Dec 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reference to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the author of Vande Mataram, as ‘Bankim da’ was objected to by the Trinamool Congress on Monday, prompting him to add the more respectful suffix ‘babu’ to the legendary poet’s name.Trinamool Congress member Saugata Roy, during the debate on 150 years of national song Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha, asked the prime minister to use the suffix ‘babu’ while referring to Chatterjee.“I will say Bankim Babu. Thank you, I respect your sentiments,” the prime minister said.In a lighter vein, Modi quickly asked whether he could still refer to Roy as ‘dada’.“I can call you dada, right? Or you have an objection to that, too,” the prime minister said.
Earlier, the prime minister had asked about Roy’s well-being when the TMC member had made some remarks at the start of the debate.
TMC ATTACKS MODI
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Monday accused the BJP of using “Vande Mataram” song as an electoral wedge ahead of the 2026 Bengal polls, claiming that the ruling party was “butchering the soul” of the song “far more than any 1937 resolution ever did.” Participating in a Lok Sabha discussion marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, Moitra claimed the timing of the debate was politically motivated, alleging that “some half-wit BJP IT cell minion has probably advised you that the Vande Mataram card, if played right, will give an advantage to the BJP in the Bengal elections.” She said the TMC welcomed the conversation because it would “only prove how removed you are from the soul of Bengal, and how our Ma will never be hostage to your narrow electoral goals.” Calling the BJP’s commitment to the song “a badly scripted comedy,” she mocked party MPs for, according to her, being unable to correctly sing Vande Mataram.
Moitra questioned the ruling party’s claim to the legacy of the freedom struggle, asking, “Who in the BJP can claim even a tenuous link to the freedom movement that today you feel you are the guardians of Vande Mataram?” Moitra accused the BJP of deepening religious divides while pretending to uphold the spirit of the song.
“This government, which claims to promote Vande Mataram, has ensured even the moon has been partitioned. Hindu women can break their Karva Chauth fast on their rooftops, but a Muslim in a BJP-ruled state is forbidden from offering Eid ka namaz to the same moon – and you are blaming a song for India’s divisiveness.” Moitra said she was speaking “as a true Bengali” and on behalf of “dashkoti Bengalis whom you call Bangladeshis, whom you harass on the streets and throw out when pregnant across the border.” She then dissected the stanzas of Vande Mataram, contrasting its imagery with current realities.On “Sujalam suphalam”, Moitra said India’s water crisis has worsened under the BJP: “Over 70% of India’s surface water is undrinkable. India ranks 120 out of 122 countries in the water quality index, and yet the government cuts Jal Jeevan Mission funds. Bengal alone is owed Rs 3,000 crore.” On “Malayaja-shitalam”, she cited Delhi’s severe pollution: Turning to “Suhasinim”, which evokes sweetness and compassion, Moitra accused BJP leaders of routinely delivering hate speeches. (PTI)
