Kolkata: BJP is weakening the country by creating a division between the Hindus and the Muslims, said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while inaugurating a Jagaddhatri Puja at Burrabazar on Thursday evening.
"BJP is following the divide and rule policy in India. They divide communities, castes and religions, which ultimately leads to the weakening of the nation forgetting Swami Vivekananda's view that unity is strength. I urge everyone to think over the matter," she said. The Chief Minister further added: "They made the NRC in Assam with a view to isolate the Muslims but in the end the names of 13 lakh Hindus have been deleted from the list. If they ask me to furnish the birth certificate of my father, I will not been able to show because in those days institutional delivery did not take place."
The Puja has been organised by The Posta Bazar Merchants' Association. State ministers including Subrata Mukherjee, Shashi Panja, Sujit Bose were present at the inaugural function along with Sudip Bandyopadhyay, party MP and Nayana Bandyopadhyay.
Banerjee said it is Bengal's custom and tradition to celebrate every kind of Puja that are observed by people coming from different regions of the country. "We observe Durga and Kali Puja along with Christmas, Eid, Guru Nanakji's birthday, Mahavir Jayanti and many more festivals."
Coming down heavily on the BJP, she said: "Every time a person is killed due to property related clash or for some other purpose, BJP claims the person to be its member. This is blatant lie and the party is circulating lies."
She further added that she has proposed to set up a multi-storeyed market complex on 10 acres of land in Burrabazar and has instructed Firhad Hakim, state minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department to conduct a feasibility study.
Banerjee also announced that the state government offices will remain closed from October 11 to 31 for Durga Puja in 2020. She said she will go to attend the Chhath Puja celebrations on November 2.
The Chief Minister presented a sari and sweets to the idol and also lit a lamp to inaugurate the Puja officially.