Kolkata: Trinamul Congress MP of Basirhat, Idris Ali has demanded Bharat Ratna for party supremo and chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
“Mamata Banerjee is a symbol of national integration, harmony and development. She is an unparalleled lady. I firmly believe that she should be awarded the Bharat Ratna,” he said on Friday, This is however not the first time that Mr Ali showered lavish praise on her party chief.
In July 2016, he had compared Ms Banerjee with Goddess Saraswati and even Mother Teresa during his speech at a session in the Lok Sabha to highlight the development works in his constituency. A few months later, Mr Ali equated the Trinamul chief with national icons, including Rabindranath Tagore and two former Prime Ministers: Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
He had then observed that Ms Banerjee’s photograph should be kept in every household across the country. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh lashed out at the Trinamul MP over his demand. He however acknowledged Ms Banerjee’s eligibility referring to her long political career before supporting the proposal to some extent also. Mr Ghosh said, “Appeasement has reached its peak within the Trinamul.”
He elaborated, “Making such comments will only make someone’s own position solid within the party. There is no objection that Ms Banerjee’s name cannot be recommended. Names of others can also go. After a few days, Rahul Gandhi’s name will also be recommended. But there is a system for it. An arrangement is in place there. A committee is also there. It will take the decision. Her name should be recommended.”
The BJP Kharagpur MLA added, “She is a successful politican. She has been at service of Bengal for many years. There is no objection to recommending her name. It should go. But it’s the panel which will look into it. Anyone can suggest a proposal. Only time will say whether the proposal will be accepted. The officials entrusted for the task will take the call.”
He argued, “So anyone can send the proposal. In our country emotions run high over the leaders. Ms Banerjee can be all in all within her party. But there is no logic that she would have the same command over the country. So the MP who made the demand has not done for Ms Banerjee but for his own interests only.”
