I’m not ‘weak, coward’ CM like Mamata, says Suvendu with warning to Humayun Kabir for hate speech

Rejinagar (WB), Jul 10 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday said he is not a "weak and coward" CM like Mamata Banerjee, and asserted that he will not tolerate reckless remarks from elected representatives that can potentially stoke communal tension. Adhikari was obliquely referring to Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir, the Nowda MLA whom the CM had recently pulled up in the state assembly for making "inflammatory and provocative" remarks along communal lines. Speaking at a BJP rally ahead of the bypoll in Rejinagar in Murshidabad district, the schedule for which is yet to be announced, Adhikari called his predecessor and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee “weak and coward” and stated that his response to such “irresponsible acts” would be diametrically opposite. “Make no mistake, I am not a weak and coward chief minister like Mamata Banerjee. I will not tolerate reckless comments from elected representatives. I have asked the MLA from around here to choose his words carefully, keeping in mind the Constitution of the country,” the CM said, apparently referring to Kabir, but without directly naming him. “If he thinks that he can go on saying anything he pleases and I will turn a deaf ear to them, then he should know that I am not that kind of a person,” he added. The AJUP leader made the alleged remarks at public meetings in Shaktipur on June 8 and again at Rejinagar on June 26, both in Murshidabad district. Three days later, while addressing the assembly during the budget session, Adhikari lashed out at Kabir, accusing him of making inflammatory statements to polarise voters for a bypoll the AJUP leader's son is likely to fight after he vacated the Rejinagar seat. "I will not allow you (Kabir) to make such reckless and unrestrained public statements ever again. I will not only make him withdraw his statements, but also ensure he thinks multiple times before making such remarks. I assure this House that this would be the last time he makes such comments in public," Adhikari had said, and added that “the time has come to teach the Nowda MLA a lesson”. Earlier in the day, at an administrative meeting in the district headquarters of Baharampur, Adhikari announced that the anti-goonda laws, recently passed in assembly, will come into effect from Monday, allowing the police to deal with perpetrators of violence with an iron hand. “The days of burning trains and buses, assaulting the police are now over. Strict measures are being taken to ensure women's safety and prevent human trafficking. Court cases will be resolved quickly. What happened in Shamsherganj and Dhuliyan will not happen again. If it does, strict action will be taken,” he said. The chief minister was referring to the 2025 anti-Waqf (Amendment) Act violence in Murshidabad which killed at least three people and displaced many. Alongside Nandigram, a seat that was vacated by Adhikari after he simultaneously won the prestigious Bhabanipur seat where he humbled the TMC chief, bye-elections are likely to take place in Rejinagar after it was given up by Kabir who also won the Nowda seat. “The bypolls in Reginagar will be held in the next 30 to 45 days. We will usher in development here, with whatever demands the voters here may have as against the Hindu-Muslim politics which has been practised for so long in this region,” Adhikari said. He said that people of the region have had to endure endless suffering since the previous TMC-led government allegedly stoked the fire of violence across Murshidabad in the name of protests against issues like CAA-NRC and Waqf Act. “We have focused on the development of the district without looking into people’s religious identity. Out of the 15 lakh Annapurna Yojna applicants from the district, the process of transferring money has begun for 12 lakh beneficiaries after cross checking their eligibility,” he said. Adhikari maintained that the state has laid particular emphasis on employment generation for youths, bringing migrant workers back home and ensuring rural employment guarantee through the VB-G RAM G scheme. In a significant announcement, Adhikari said those who are not eligible for the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat health scheme will receive benefits under the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme. Under the new scheme, health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh, equal to that of Ayushman Bharat, will be available, he added. “The state government will ensure that the benefits of this card are available not only within this state but across the entire country,” Adhikari said. Stating that the BJP has formed the state government after winning 208 out of the 294 seats, Adhikari said his next goal was to increase that tally further. “If you want development, make the lotus bloom (vote for the BJP). We will usher you with everything you need with both hands,” he said. Adhikari referred to both the Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies, but placed particular emphasis on Rejinagar, the seat vacated by Kabir. The chief minister said, “We already hold 208 seats. We will definitely win Nandigram—leave that to me, I'll take care of it. The margin of victory will be enormous. That will take us to 209 seats. Whether we reach 210 seats depends on Rejinagar. So, will you make us win?" “If you elect the BJP, we will build not one but two bridges in Rejinagar. We will bring back migrant workers by creating employment opportunities here. They will be able to live with their wives, daughters, sons, and families at home. Just make the lotus bloom here,” he said. PTI SMY NN