"Modi Is Anti-Bengali": TMC's Derek O'Brien On BJP Candidate Pawan Singh's Withdrawal (image-facebook/Derek O'Brien)
The withdrawal of Pawan Singh”s candidacy comes amidst mounting criticism from TMC leaders and opposition figures over his past statements and actions, which have been deemed offensive and misogynistic towards Bengali women.
TMC leader Derek O”Brien lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of hypocrisy for espousing “Nari Shakti” while endorsing a candidate who objectified Bengali women. He also accused the PM of stopping funds for the state for the span of two years “as an act of revenge. But then how did Bengal react? The West Bengal government has paid all the money themselves. So it”s quite clear…”
“PM @narendramodi is anti-Bengal. He came to Bengal and lectured on Nari Shakti. Then, he hypocritically provided a Lok Sabha ticket to someone who vilified Bengal women.”
-Rajya Sabha MP @derekobrienmpIf you speak ill of Bengal, if you denigrate women, you”ll receive a… pic.twitter.com/DbBLJ0Vxlh
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) March 3, 2024
O”Brien tweeted, “This is Khela Hobe even before the khela begins,” quipping that the withdrawal marked the beginning of the “game” even before it officially began. TMC’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee described Singh’s withdrawal as a victory for “the indomitable spirit of the people of West Bengal,” hailing it as a testament to the resilience of the Bengali people.
This is Khela Hobe even before the khela begins😎 https://t.co/UXwBZvDI1z
— Derek O”Brien | ডেরেক ও”ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) March 3, 2024
TMC member Babul Supriyo suggested that Singh was pressured by the BJP to withdraw. Supriyo also pointed out that it was “absolutely impossible” that the party would name a candidate in their first list without taking their consent or a discussion with them. He added, “Even today morning we had BJP defending his candidature!! Now they admit it was an insult to Bengali women & Bengali sensibilities, that BJP never ever understood in the first place…They have been shown the mirror!”
😂 Pressure from @BJP4India on him to withdraw citing “personal reasons” !! It”s absolutely impossible that BJP wud name a candidate in their first list without taking his consent or without a detailed discussion with the candidate !! Even today morning we had BJP defending his… https://t.co/ZOUhobV5G5 pic.twitter.com/7Ri0ME9FaU
— Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) March 3, 2024
Opposition leaders, including Congress”s Abhishek Singhvi and Trinamool”s Saket Gokhale, had previously criticized the BJP”s decision to nominate Singh. Singhvi expressed dismay at the content propagated by Singh, describing it as detrimental to democracy. Gokhale condemned Singh”s videos as vulgar and misogynistic, emphasizing the BJP”s misguided choice of candidate as “sickening and reprehensible”.
My head bend in shame after looking at the content created and propagated by BJP”s Asansol Lok Sabha candidate. The doom”s day of democracy is quite near!
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) March 2, 2024
Veteran leader and former Governor Tathagata Roy made sure to criticise TMC, “Unlike TMC, where candidature is decided by the whims and fancies of one woman, BJP chooses its candidates on a systematic survey.” However, he also acknowledged his party”s mistake and called for an immediate “fresh look” at Asansol.
Unlike TMC, where candidature is decided by the whims and fancies of one woman, BJP chooses its candidates on a systematic survey. However, the surveyors are not infallible nor free from prejudice.
A FRESH LOOK AT ASANSOL IS CALLED FOR. IMMEDIATELY. @BJP4India @AmitShahOffice— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) March 3, 2024
