BJP leader’s remarks on Muslim votes deepen communal divide ahead of Bengal polls
Kolkata: In remarks seen as deepening communal divide and polarizing voters along religious lines, senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said that his party does not need to actively seek votes from the Muslim community in West Bengal.
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking in a media interview, Ghosh, also a former West Bengal BJP president, said, “Why should we seek votes from someone who does not vote for us?” He argued that since Muslims have traditionally not supported the BJP, there is little political incentive in courting their support.
The comments were made as political parties gear up for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, where Muslims constitute a substantial share of the electorate (around 27-30%). Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in West Bengal from 23 to 29 April 2026
Ghosh emphasized that the party’s current strategy focuses on consolidating and expanding its base among Hindu voters. “Our priority is to strengthen support within the Hindu population,” he noted.
His remarks have drawn sharp criticism from opponents, who say the BJP is deliberately deepening communal divides in a culturally diverse state like West Bengal. Critics argue that such statements reflect a dismissive attitude towards a significant minority and risk further polarizing voters along religious lines ahead of the polls.
The BJP, which has been steadily trying to expand its footprint in West Bengal in recent years, appears to be doubling down on a Hindu-consolidation strategy rather than broad-based minority outreach.
