By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: The Chief Minister-in-waiting Mamata Banerjee has come under attack for fielding some former RSS men including one who had taken part in the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992. However, the Trinamul Congress chief, after the ruling Left Front raised the issue in their election campaigns, has withdrawn former karsevak Mr Shantilal Jain who was fielded on a seat with considerable Muslim population.
It is believed that Mamata Banerjee remains in touch with some RSS and BJP men for future coalition with NDA if they came to power at the centre. State CPI-M leader Md Salim is raising the issues in his election campaigns. And it is the result of the CPI-M campaigning that Mamata has removed Jain in Jorasanko constituency in Kolkata.
Mr Shantilal Jain walking in Kolkata
Jain was announced TMC candidate of Jorasanko constituency in Kolkata City. After declaration of his name as a candidate by Mamata Banerjee, Mr Jain had started campaigning in the area. But when CPI-M distributed a leaflet saying that Jain was a BJP cadre, and Muslims should think about the candidate, only then Mamata Banerjee announced that the party has changed its candidate in the constituency. Jain has been replaced by Smita Bakhshi.
Shantilal Jain had contested Jorabagan constituency (Kolkata) on BJP ticket in 2001 Assembly Election and his rival candidate was Sanjoy Bakhshi. TMC’s changed candidate of Jorashanko Smt Smita Bakhshi is the wife of Sanjoy Bakhshi. After delimitation Jorabagan is under the Jorashanko constituency.
It is said that Shantilal Jain had taken part to demolish Babri Mosque on 6th December, 1992. He left Kolkata on 3rd December, and reached Ayodhya on 6 December early morning with 150 Karsevaks. His two associates were Mr Ram Kuthari & Sarath Kuthari, those who were residing under the Jorashanko Police station area. Kutharis climbed up on the top of Babri Mosque. Mr Shantilal Jain was on the ground along with Vishwa Hindu Parishad Leader Vishnuhari Dalmia, Ashok Singhal and Giriraj Kishor. RSS leaders H.V Shesadri and Sadhvi Rithambara were also present there.
State BJP president Rahul Sinha admitted Shantilal’s involvement in Babri demolition. Mr Sinha said, Jain was expelled from the BJP for anti-party activities in 2000. Then Jain joined the Janasangha. He organized an anti cow slaughter campaign through Gau Raksha Samiti. Jain was then active in the India-Bangladesh border area. A few months back Jain has joined TMC.
However, Jain is not alone. It is said there are three more candidates of TMC who have been attached to RSS or BJP. They are Colonel Sabyasachi Bagchi, Mujaffar Khan and Parash Dutta.
Mr Parash Dutta, who is now TMC candidate in Jagaddal Constituency of North 24 Parganas District, is another ex BJP person. He was the BJP candidate at Hirapur of Burdwan in 1996. Then he joined the Trinamul Congress and got nomination in 2001 Assembly election at Behala East constituency of Kolkata and won.
Colonel Sabyasachi Bagchi was a BJP activist one year ago. He is now TMC candidate at Rajarhat-New Town constituency.
Another person is Mr Muzaffar Khan. He is also a BJP activist. He had contested in Satgachia Constituency in 1996 against ex Chief Minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu. Then he joined the Trinamul Congress and bagged the ticket in 2006. He contested at Entaly constituency as a Trinamul Congress candidate against the Speaker of West Bengal Assembly Hashim Abdul Halim. Muzaffar Khan is a candidate of TMC at Champdani Constituency of Hooghly District in this 2011 Assembly election.
Along with CPIM, some people already arising question why Mamata selected few ex-BJP person for TMC candidate? They in doubt, If in next MP election BJP come to the power Mamata opened the door to join the NDA by the hand of some Ex-BJP leader?