Mamata empowering Firhad Hakim who could ultimately challenge her leadership, Says Amit Malviya

BJP IT Cell head and West Bengal observer Amit Malviya has roundly condemned Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for what he refers to as her increasing dependence on state municipal affairs and urban development minister — and Kolkata Mayor — Firhad Hakim.

Speaking in a statement uploaded to his official handle on social media platform X, Malviya cautioned that this continued endorsement may eventually jeopardize Banerjee's own position of leadership.

In Malviya's view, Hakim's ideological inclinations may result in what he termed as a "deeper push toward the Islamization of Bengal." He went on to say, "If Mamata Banerjee remains silent, she risks empowering a leader whose ideological aspirations could eventually challenge her leadership."

Malviya's remarks come on the heels of Hakim's recent response to the Murshidabad district violence, when protests related to the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent. Hakim had asserted that "everything is alright in West Bengal," a statement Malviya said showed an unwillingness to accept rising tensions.

Alluding to historical controversies, Malviya alleged Hakim called a neighborhood in Kolkata "mini Pakistan" and made remarks for religious conversion. Malviya accused Hakim of having sanctioned outfits such as Dawat-E-Islam, spoke against non-Muslims allegedly marginalizing them in his addresses, and visualized an Islamic law-ruled India.

Malviya was shocked that a person like him occupies a position that had been held by national heroes like Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das and Subhash Chandra Bose. "His rise is emblematic of the decline of the sophisticated 'bhadralok' sensibilities that Kolkata had long been known for," he said.

The BJP leader also drew a parallel between the status of Bengali Hindus in Murshidabad and that of Kashmiri Pandits, alleging that Hakim had indirectly "justified and expressed satisfaction" regarding the alleged forced eviction of Hindus from the area.

Malviya's critical outburst comes at a time when West Bengal is facing increased political tension ahead of critical elections, with religious and identity politics increasingly occupying the center stage of the state's political arena.