A Common Dream of Congress-Free India in West Bengal
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An article printed in a Bengali magazine associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh contended that both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had a "Congress-Free India" dream. While the BJP estranged itself from the article issued in the magazine "Swastik", it was "baseless" and different from the official stand of the party, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) also charged the allegations of "compromise with the saffron camp" rejected.
To attract investment or to destroy Sonia?", this article, titled by Nirmalaya Mukhopadhyay, was published in the December 13 issue of the magazine. The article refers to the TMC president's recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and proclaims that both have a dream of a "Congress-Free India".
The author wrote, "It is clear from the changed stand that she is not the former Mamata Banerjee. Earlier PM Narendra Modi had a dream of a "Congress-Free India". But now I think Mamata Banerjee has the same dream. That's why she is trying to destroy history by marketing this dream."
Mamata Banerjee
RSS's Secretary of State Jishnu Basu said he had yet to read the article. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh sources said the magazine is associated with the community as its editorial and administration committees have many people with Sangh backgrounds. BJP's West Bengal department spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya summoned the author "baseless" and said it had nothing to do with the party's procedure or guidelines. 'Swastik' may be a magazine associated with RSS, but many articles come in it which are not per our policies and principles.
RSS's Secretary of State Jishnu Basu
The claims of "compromise with the BJP," according to TMC state general secretary leader Kunal Ghosh, are unfounded. "Allegations of compromise with the BJP are baseless. Mamata Banerjee is a powerful opponent front against the saffron camp." However, the opposition Congress alleged that "the mystery has been exposed." Congress leader Pradeep Bhattacharya said, "Now the secret has been exposed. For a long time, we were saying that BJP and TMC have a secret pact and they are working together to ruin Congress. But they will not be succeeded."