Nanoor: With first phase polling of much-awaited West Bengal Assembly Elections set to take place on Saturday, a local leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Sheikh Alam made headlines on Thursday after he made a controversial remark stating that if 30 per cent Indian Muslims come together, four Pakistans can be created.
A video clip, where Alam can be seen being surrounded by people holding a TMC poster, went viral on social media and drew major flak from various sections including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"They (BJP) think they will come to power (in Bengal) with the help of this 70%. If 30% of minorities unite, if India's Muslims unite, four Pakistan can be created. Where will India's 70% go?" Alam can be heard saying in a 30-second video clip reportedly shot at Nanoor in Birbhum.
The TMC, however, has distanced itself from the controversial statement, mentioning that Sheikh Alam, seen in the video, is not a member of the TMC and the party doesn't support what he said.
Who Is Sheikh Alam?
ABP News has learnt that Sheikh Alam is a long time Trinamool Congress (TMC) activist who was even jailed three times in multiple allegations including bomb blast case before TMC came to power in West Bengal in 2011. Soon after Mamata Banerjee took over the reins from Left front in West Bengal, Alam was made a member of TMC block committee.
Allegedly, Alam is also involved in Ajay river illegal sand business. It is also being said that Alam has been facing issues with TMC due to inner clash and difference in opinion. However, Alam managed to hold back with the party reportedly with the help of TMC leader Anubrata Mondal after Lok Sabha elections.
Alam is now an active TMC worker in Nanur area and a very popular face in his locality. He is often seen in events and programmes of TMC.
BJP's Slams TMC Over Sheikh Alam's Controversial Statement
Meanwhile, BJP has strongly reacted to Alam's controversial statements, saying that the TMC leaders are making such comments due to Mamata Banerjee's appeasement politics. Reacting to the clip, BJP national general secretary and the party's Bengal minder, Kailash Vijayvargiya, said it exposes the TMC's real intention.
BJP leader Amit Malviya accused the TMC supremo of reducing the majority community in the state to second grade citizens.
Sheikh Alam's Response
When approached by reporters, Sheikh Alam said that his words have been misinterpreted.
"I never said we want to build a Pakistan in India. I just wanted to convey that if the Muslims are threatened, then we, too, know how to care of ourselves," he said.