Posters showing Mamata offering Namaz Posters showing Mamata offering Namaz

BJP's Asansol candidate and Bollywood singer Babul Supriyo has criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for poll posters that show her offering namaz, alleging that she is trying to fool the minorities.

Supriyo, who recently surrendered and got bail in a court in the district in connection with cases against him under the Arms Act and NH Act for blocking a highway while campaigning, tweeted a picture of the poll posters of Trinamool Congress's local candidate Dola Sen which showed Banerjee offering namaz. "Just see this!! Posters being distributed in Muslim areas! Is this Respecting the Minorities or Fooling them? Shame," he wrote.

While minority appeasement has become an integral part of Indian politics, Trinamool Congress posters showing Banerjee offering namaz is at an altogether different level.

While conversion is certainly a better way than deceptive tokenisms to convince minorities about a leader's political commitment to their welfare, it is yet not known if such acts really find favour with the community.

This is not the first time though that she has done it.

Months before the West Bengal Assembly polls, Banerjee, then the Railway Minister, had issued a railway advertisement in September 2010 with her picture offering namaz in the backdrop of Islamic motifs - a crescent moon, a star and the outlines of a mosque.

The advertisement had created ripples in the political circles and drawn mixed reactions from the public.

The Asansol posters also assume significance in the backdrop of recent political statements over illegal Bangladeshi migrants in the state.

Addressing a political rally in Bankura on May 4, BJP PM nominee Narendra Modi had said, "Those who are Bangladeshi infiltrators will have to go back."

The Gujarat Chief Minister warned that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants should keep their bags packed after May 16, the day of the election results.

He had also taken jibes at Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of backing the illegal immigrants for votes.

In response, Banerjee said on Tuesday, "Modi has no right to say he will oust Bangladeshis from West Bengal. Who is he? He is nobody. I dare you (Modi) to touch them."

While Banerjee accused Modi of playing divisive politics in the state, it is difficult to say if fighting one extreme with another is justifiable.