The Trinamool Congress issued an unconditional apology for derogatory remarks made by party member Mahua Moitra about the Gujarati community and its role in India’s freedom movement. Moitra’s comments, questioning the contribution of Gujaratis to the freedom struggle, drew sharp criticism from various quarters, including opposition parties.
The Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, seized upon Moitra’s statements during his campaign in the Bhabanipur assembly constituency, which has a significant Gujarati voter population. Adhikari urged the Gujarati community to respond to the Trinamool Congress in the upcoming elections, emphasizing the community’s pride in freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
In response to the backlash, the Trinamool Congress swiftly acted by fielding Ashim Basu, a party councillor from Bhabanipur, to express regret and offer an apology on behalf of the party for Moitra’s remarks. Basu, in a video statement, conveyed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s apology to the Gujarati community, disavowing the comments made by Moitra.
The party’s state general secretary and candidate from Beliaghat assembly constituency, in North Kolkata, also denounced Moitra’s comments, emphasizing respect for Gujarat and its people. He highlighted the historical ties between Bengalis and Gujarat, rejecting any form of provincialism in the party’s ideology.
