TMC Initially Tried To Stop ‘Banga Kumbha Mela’, Later Gave In To Religious Fervour: BJP

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar on Monday claimed that the Trinamool Congress had initially tried to stop the 'Banga Kumbha Mela’, a five-day religious congregation in Nadia district, but later gave in sensing the strong religious sentiments attached to the event.
            
Majumdar, who took bath in River Ganga at Sri Gouranga Mahaprabhu Ghat before offering puja at a temple, later told reporters that after failing to stop the event, the local TMC leadership tried to “hijack” it.
            
"The TMC was afraid of others getting mileage from the fair as they cannot think beyond politics and hence the initial bid to stop it and then the overdrive to take the credit for organising this event have both backfired," he added.
            
West Bengal minister and TMC leader Jyotipriyo Mallick, on the other hand, accused the BJP of indulging in “narrow politics” over a centuries-old religious congregation. 
            
Dismissing the BJP’s claims, he said, "The monks and devotees will never fall prey to their misinformation campaign."
            
Banga Kumbha Mela Parishad president Srimath Ranjitananda Giriji Maharaj thanked the state administration for extending all cooperation in organising the event.
            
The event had taken place in Tribeni in Hooghly district on the other bank of this year’s venue.
            
He said ‘sadhus’ from across the country took part in the event, which culminated on Monday. Lakhs of devotees took the holy dip in the river during the day.