Dilip Ghosh compares Murshidabad's exodus to Palestine and Syria

Former BJP MP and senior leader Dilip Ghosh courted controversy on Monday morning with a provocative statement against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, drawing parallels between her and figures like Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. His comments have stirred sharp political reactions and reignited communal discourse ahead of the election season.

Speaking at a public event around 7 AM, Ghosh was addressing the issue of unrest and lack of control in regions like Malda and Murshidabad. He claimed that the situation was not incidental but part of a "long-standing conspiracy" with historical roots dating back to the Partition of India.

Ghosh alleged that prominent Muslim leaders in India, after 1947, had vowed to deliver Bengal and Assam “on a platter” within 30 years. “It didn’t happen then,” he said, “but Mamata Banerjee is now a partner in fulfilling that mission. She will complete what Jinnah could not.”

The BJP leader went further, calling Mamata Banerjee the "modern version of Jinnah and Suhrawardy," invoking two polarising historical figures associated with the partition and the Direct Action Day violence. These remarks have drawn widespread criticism from opposition leaders, civil society, and even some members within his own party.

TMC has condemned the statement outright, calling it “deeply communal and inflammatory.” A party spokesperson stated that “Dilip Ghosh has not just insulted the CM but also attempted to incite communal hatred.” Demands for action from the Election Commission and the police have already started pouring in.

Ghosh, however, remained unapologetic. When approached by reporters after the event, he reiterated his position, claiming that he was only "revealing historical truths the public deserves to hear." Whether the BJP will distance itself from his remarks or back him remains to be seen.