Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir has escalated his plan to build a Babri Masjid replica in Beldanga, Murshidabad. He announced he will lay the foundation stone on December 6, which marks the demolition anniversary. Kabir warned the local administration against stopping the event. He said he will block a 30 km stretch of National Highway from Rejinagar to Baharampur if the police interfere.
Kabir said he has identified the plot and has an agreement in place. The land belongs to six owners. Four owners have agreed to hand over their share. He alleged that two owners, who are also Trinamool legislators, are blocking the process. He claimed they are acting under pressure to prevent the transfer.
The announcement has exposed rifts inside the ruling party ahead of the next assembly polls. Kabir has publicly criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her stand on the Waqf Act and the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists known as SIR. He said Banerjee had earlier opposed both measures but changed her position without explanation. He said party workers have been carrying out SIR activities since early November.
Mamata Banerjee is set to visit Malda and Murshidabad. She will address a rally in a Muslim dominated area to protest voter roll changes. Trinamool sources indicated that senior leaders are unhappy about Kabir’s statements. They said disciplinary action is possible. The party has formally distanced itself from his plan.
Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee said Kabir’s statements do not reflect the party’s position. He said Mamata Banerjee is the only leader trusted by the people of the state. The BJP has used the dispute to question the Trinamool’s internal unity. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul said the party has not acted against Kabir and accused the Trinamool of sending mixed signals.
