Firhad Hakim Slams BJP, Highlights Trinamool's By-Election Triumph as Party Consolidates Power

 Mayor Mocked BJP's Failures, Praised Mamata's Leadership, and Reaffirmed TMC’s Dominance After Sweeping Victory

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, November 24, 2024, Kolkata: In a resounding affirmation of Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) political strength, the party has claimed victory in all recent by-elections across West Bengal, including the highly contested Madarihat seat. Following the announcement of results on Saturday, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim took aim at the opposition, mocking the BJP’s political missteps and asserting that TMC's victory was a reflection of the people's unwavering trust in Mamata Banerjee’s leadership.

Hakim’s remarks came after the TMC’s comprehensive win across six assembly seats, a result that further solidified the party's dominance in the state. In a pointed critique of the BJP, Hakim said, “Earlier, Manoj Tigga won in Madarihat, but now the BJP is no longer with him. They’ve lost their way.” His comments suggested that the BJP’s inability to maintain strong leadership was becoming increasingly apparent. He added with a smirk, “If you don’t know how to dance, at least get up and bend. The BJP is falling flat in class one. They say they’ll pass high secondary, but it’s laughable.”

Hakim also took aim at the Left Front, saying, “The CPM once thought that by standing back, the BJP would defeat Trinamool. But people have seen through this. They understand that the Trinamool Congress is, and will always be, the people’s party.” He pointed out how the CPM, in the past, had transferred votes to the BJP in a calculated attempt to weaken TMC, but the political landscape had shifted, and their strategy had failed. “The people have chosen us. We’ve earned the vote of trust, the vote for democracy,” he emphasized, asserting that CPM, though frequently discussed on TV, had lost touch with the electorate.

The Mayor attributed TMC's by-election success to Mamata Banerjee’s development-driven agenda, which has resonated with the people of Bengal. “Mamata Banerjee’s second name is development,” Hakim declared, underscoring the popularity of the Chief Minister’s initiatives. He also highlighted the significant drop in dengue cases this year—down by 92% compared to the previous year—as a testament to the government's public health efforts.

Hakim further dismissed any negative impact from recent political controversies, including allegations of illegal sand extraction in North Bengal and issues at Vidyasagar Hospital. He assured that the police would take appropriate action against illegal activities, stressing that TMC remains committed to upholding the law. Regarding recent tensions at Vidyasagar Hospital, he stated, “Those who have done wrong will face the consequences. There are proper channels to address complaints, and we are not in the business of taking the law into our own hands.”

Hakim’s remarks were also a pointed critique of the BJP’s tactics in other states, such as Maharashtra and Jharkhand. He referenced the recent political turmoil in Maharashtra, calling out the party’s failure to follow through on its promises and its inability to tackle corruption, even when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was supposedly investigating. He also praised Jharkhand’s Chief Minister Soren for standing strong against the BJP, declaring, “We thank Soren Saheb for defeating the BJP.”

He also drew from his own experience, recalling his arrest in 2021. “I was tortured, raided by the CBI,” he said, “but nothing happened. I wasn’t afraid, and neither were the leaders in Jharkhand when the BJP tried to intimidate them.” Hakim positioned this resilience as a strength for TMC, reinforcing the party’s commitment to the people despite facing political pressure.

Hakim’s confidence in TMC’s growing influence was evident as he discussed the results in Alipore, where he secured 79% of the vote. “Our vote percentage is increasing. Gradually, the people are trusting Mamata Banerjee more and more,” he noted, adding that TMC continues to win the support of the common people who value the party’s inclusive, development-driven approach. Hakim also highlighted the TMC's commitment to secularism, contrasting it with the BJP’s focus on religion-based politics. “We don’t vote on the basis of religion. We vote for the people,” he declared.

In his closing remarks, Firhad Hakim reaffirmed that TMC's success is rooted in its dedication to service and the people. “We’re not afraid of going to jail. We’re not afraid of intimidation. We will always stand with the people, and we will always serve them,” he said, reinforcing the party’s unwavering resolve.

With TMC’s dominance confirmed in the by-elections and Mamata Banerjee’s popularity at an all-time high, the opposition parties, particularly the BJP, have a long road ahead to recover from their setbacks in Bengal. As Hakim rightly put it, “Trinamool Congress is not just in the discussions on TV; it is in the hearts and minds of the people.” The victory is a clear signal that TMC remains firmly in control, and its influence is only growing stronger.