Kolkata: Ahead of the second phase of voting in the Bengal elections, Kolkata’s civil society has launched a campaign—“Give No Benefit to BJP”—aimed at encouraging people to vote unitedly and in maximum numbers.
Well-known activists from the city under the banner of Concerned Citizens of Bengal, however did not name any political party to vote for and claimed they have no connection with any political organisation. The speakers used different languages to convey their message to the masses.
The speakers first explained why they felt the need to hold a press conference just days ahead of the second phase of polling.
“We have seen votes getting divided over many issues, which can be addressed later. No party is perfect, including those challenging the BJP. But right now, we must prioritise safety and reject hatred. Local issues can wait—this moment demands one thing: give no benefit to the BJP,” said social activist Azhar Salim.
Another activist Dr Adil Sarfaraz said that the BJP is attempting to destroy the longstanding traditions of peace, harmony, and brotherhood in the state. Therefore, he urged people to unite against the BJP and the RSS and vote for candidates who can defeat them.
Social activist Manzar Jameel, speaking in Urdu, stressed that defeating the BJP is essential to counter the divisions and fear being spread. “It is a matter of great shame that the entire machinery of the Centre, including PM, HM, CMs and forces, are in Bengal to conduct elections. It feels like a war situation. While different parts of the country need better governance and attention from BJP leaders and governments, they are here to terrorise Bengalis,” he said.
Azar Salim, speaking in Bangla, said Bengal is a land of mishti (sweets) and harmony, where people believe in coexistence, not hatred. He emphasised the need to protect Bengali language, culture, and brotherhood, noting that Kolkata is known as the ‘City of Joy’ for its peaceful way of life.
Athar Firdausi, who moderated the event, said that ordinary people are living in deep fear. He alleged that the BJP is creating divisions and intimidating certain communities, and to counter this, voters must support candidates capable of defeating the BJP.
Human rights activist and president of the Bandi Mukti Committee, Chhoton Das, stated that the SIR process has caused immense distress in people’s lives. Thousands of marginalised individuals, who may lack documents but undeniably exist, need support. He warned that if the BJP comes to power, it could lead to attempts to render people stateless. He urged Bengal’s intelligentsia to act against the BJP. The speakers also appealed to the general public to actively participate in voting.
The speakers also responded to questions from journalists present at the event.
Notably, during the 2021 Assembly polls, a successful campaign—“No Vote to BJP”—was carried out by Left-backed organisations. However, this year, no such campaign has been formally launched. The organisers had said after the previous election results that their campaign—later evolving into a movement—would continue, as it also stood against fascism.
