Kolkata: In what is being perceived as a veiled dig at Amit Shah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X congratulating the Union Home Minister on his son Jay Shah’s appointment as Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday.
The post has caused a stir on social media, not only because the Trinamool Congress chief addressed it to the Home Minister rather than directly congratulating Jay Shah on his appointment as ICC chief, but also because she made a subtle jibe by claiming that Amit Shah’s son, despite not being a politician, has become more important than any politician.
“Congratulations, Union Home Minister!! Your son has not become a politician but has become the ICC Chairman — a post much more important than most politicians,” Chief Minister Banerjee wrote on X.
“Your son has indeed become very, very powerful, and I congratulate you on his most elevated achievement! Kudos!!” she added.
Political observers feel that the language of the message makes it difficult to judge whether it was a congratulatory note or a subtle jibe at the Home Minister.
Political commentators believe that the message’s phrasing makes it impossible to determine whether it was a congratulatory note or a covert jab at the Home Minister.
On August 27, Jay Shah was chosen unopposed as the next Independent Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC), succeeding Greg Barclay.
Shah, who has been Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since October 2019 and Chair of the Asian Cricket Council since January 2021, will accept the coveted position on December 1.
Banerjee’s post is significant because it came at a time when the West Bengal government, led by Banerjee, is under fire from all sides, including top BJP leaders, for the heinous rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata earlier this month.
On Thursday, a Supreme Court lawyer filed a case with Delhi Police against Banerjee for her ‘provocative’ remarks. In them, she purportedly warned that neighbouring states would face violence and unrest if attempts were made to cause trouble in Bengal.
On Wednesday, Banerjee addressed an event commemorating the founding day of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the students’ wing of Trinamool Congress, saying, “Modi babu, you are attempting to incite unrest in Bengal through your people.” But remember, if you burn, Bengal, Assam, Northeast, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn.”
The complainant, counsel Vineet Jindal, said that the Trinamool chief’s words were inflammatory and could potentially incite regional animosity and enmity, posing a threat to national unity and public order as a whole.
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–IANS
