BJP shifts to ‘Jai Maha Kali’ slogan as TRP of Ram down: Abhishek Banerjee

Kolkata | Accusing the BJP of mixing religion with politics, senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday mocked the saffron party’s new “Jai Maha Kali” slogan, saying the saffron camp has replaced its “Jai Shri Ram” slogan as its TRP is on a downward slide after the elections.

The BJP had on Monday said Bengal is the land of Maha Kali and the party’s slogans in the state will be “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Maha Kali”.

“They (BJP) have decided to change the slogan from Jai Shri Ram to Jai Maha Kali as the TRP of Ram is on a downward slide. They are mixing religion with politics,” Abhishek, who is also nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, said while addressing a protest rally against fuel price hike here. The Television Rating Point (TRP) is a tool which indicates the popularity of a television programme.

The inclusion of “Jai Maha Kali” in its list of slogans of BJP came at a time when the TMC has accused it of being a party of outsiders who do not understand the culture of Bengal. The BJP in Bengal bagged 18 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats. The TMC’s tally came down to 22 from 34 it had won in 2014.

Speaking on the TMC’s performance in the Lok Sabha polls, Abhishek said, “In 2004, we had come down to just one seat and then in 2009, our tally has increased to 19. So, there is nothing to worry about it. We will bounce back and will spread our party across the country.”

Abhishek accused the BJP of using “money, muscle, institutions, media and the government” to win the election.

On the issue of TMC party offices allegedly being occupied by the BJP in various parts of the state, he said “It will not take long for us to recapture those party offices.”

Carrying placards, posters TMC activists shouted slogans against the BJP government at the Center over fuel price hike.