West Bengal Elections, Phase 2 Polling: Ahead of the second phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections, the state is witnessing high-voltage campaigning with both Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party trying its best to lure voters. 


Amid the power-packed promotion, a new 'gotra controversy' has started making headline soon after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ended her Nandigram campaigning by proclaiming that she belongs to the Shandilya gotra of Brahmins.


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TMC supremo's recent statement not just added an incendiary element to the very charged up Bengal elections of 2021, but also stroked a controversy with her political oponents terming it to be a remark in desperation. 


At a time when the BJP has capitalised the most on Hindutva icons and issues to win 8-leg electoral marathon in West Bengal, Mamata is now flashing her Hindu identity along with the Bengali pride to attract voters.


Here's What Didi Said


"During my second campaign, I visited a temple where the priest enquired about my 'gotra'. I told him 'Maa Maati Manush' (the slogan that powered her to victory in 2011)," Banerjee said, before adding, "Actually. I am Shandilya."


BJP On Gotra Controversy


The saffron party came down hard on Mamata for playing politics of religious identity and said that Bengal Chief Minister's comment shows that defeat is certain for her party in the Assembly polls.


Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said that TMC chief Mamata Banerjee has realised that she has lost ground in West Bengal and is speaking about her 'gotra' in desperation, but this "drama" will not help her party win the assembly election.


"You are disclosing your gotra and are opposing 'Jai Shri Ram' and also disallowed Ma Durga's immersion during Durga Puja. People understand everything as to who is genuine and who is not," he told reporters.


Another BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that Mamata was announcing her gotra in desperation. "I never need to say it is my gotra, I write it. But she says it out of fear of losing the election. Mamata Banerjee, please tell me whether Rohingya and infiltrators are also of the Shandilya gotra? Her defeat is certain," Singh said.


TMC's Response To BJP


Responding to Giriraj Singh, Mahua Mitra, Trinamool Congress MP introduced the "rakshasa" narrative into the already incendiary vocabulary exchange. Moitra just stopped short of calling Singh "Chotiwala Rakshasa Clan (Ponytailed Demonic clan)".


"Union Minister Giriraj Says Mamata's from 'Rohingya Clan' Proud of it. Far better than being from the Chotiwala Rakshasa Clan!" Moitra said in a tweet.


Asaduddin Owaisi Jumps Into Gotra Controversy


AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also waded into the controversy and pointed out both BJP and TMC for 'invoking Hindutva' during campaign rallies.


"What should happen to people like me who aren't Shandilya or Janeudhari (a reference to Rahul Gandhi), aren't bhakts of certain gods, don't recite Chalisa or any Paath? Every party feels that it has to show its Hindu credentials to win. Unprincipled, insulting & unlikely to succeed", Owaisi said.


West Bengal Elections: Phase 2 Polling On Thursday


Mamata Banerjee is battling friend-turned-foe Suvendu Adhikari who has joined the saffron clad, for the high-profile Nandigram seat, which will go for polls in second phase tomorrow.


The second phase of polling is all set to take place on Thursday covering 69 Assembly seats both in West Bengal.


TMC supremo is seeking a third term in office from Nandigram constituency of Purbo Midnipur district. The battle for Nandigram is a prestige fight for both Mamata Banerjee and the BJP as it paved way for TMC's victory in 2011 Assembly polls ending 34 years of Left Front rule. 


A total of 171 candidates are in the fray for the second phase polls in West Bengal's 30 seats where 75,94,549 voters will exercise their franchise.


Know Why Battle Of Nandigram Is Important For Mamata & BJP


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