TMC remembers Sangh founder Syama Mookerjee

Kolkata: An event organised by the Trinamul Congress government to observe the 65th death anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee in south Kolkata rolled into a slugfest between the BJP and the ruling party leaders on Saturday.

Showering lavish praise on the state government for organising the event at Chittaranjan Das Park in Keoratala Crematorium off Rasbehari Avenue the BJP leaders however accused the Trinamul of engaging the Maoists in desecrating Mookerjee’s bust in March this year.

Countering their claims the Trinamul ministers described Mookerjee as ‘a great son of Bengal.’

They even claimed it has been their long practice to pay tribute to Mookerjee. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh said, “I have heard that the state government would also celebrate the birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee.”

Taking potshots at the Trinamul the BJP Kharagpur MLA elaborated, “It reflects that good sense has prevailed upon them. It is a noble work. But its too late already. Although it is very late, the work is a good one which everyone praise. I am also praising it.”

He was speaking after paying tribute to Mookerjee at the event. Lashing out at the ruling party BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha alleged, “The Trinamul is atoning for its sin by engaging the Maoists in vandalising Mookerjee’s bust. Although it is late, they have realised that Bengal has been an integral part of India only because of Syama Prasad Mookerjee.”

State urban development minister Firhad Hakim When the BJP was nowhere I used to garland this bust. I have been doing it for the last seven years since I became a minister. Mala Roy is also doing it every year as a councillor of 23 years. Before me Anil Mukherjee, Sachchidananda Banerjee, Subrata Bakshi used to do it.”

He argued, “All of us pay tribute to him. Without coming under someone’s influence we pay respect to each great son of India on our own.”

State power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said, “What is the politics in it? There is no politics in it. We are not going to be the BJP. The BJP is also not turning to be the Trinamul.” He reasoned, “Here we have a great son of Bengal who is distinguished. Chief minister Mamata

Banerjee honours distinguished people outside the state also. We feel that Syama Prasad Mookerjee was such a great personality to whom paying tribute is our duty.”