Kolkata, March 27 BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari held a Ram Navami procession in his constituency, Nandigram, in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district on Friday, alleging that such rallies had previously been attacked by goons backed by the TMC in the area.
During the procession, members of the minority community were seen offering water, sweets, and fruits to Adhikari and other participants.
The leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly distinguished between what he termed "nationalist Muslims" who welcomed the Ram Navami rally, and fundamentalists whom he alleged were associated with the ruling TMC.
Adhikari, who is seeking re-election from Nandigram, claimed that such a rally was organized in the area after an eight-year gap, as "previous processions on Ram Navami celebrations were attacked by TMC-backed goons".
The BJP MLA, on this auspicious occasion, said he prayed for jobs, farmers' prosperity, development, and peace in the state.
On Thursday, Adhikari led a Ram Navami procession in Bhabanipur, where he is contesting against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, several BJP candidates on Friday took out Ram Navami processions in their constituencies, including Sainthia in Birbhum, Gopiballavpur in Jhargram, and in Balurghat and Baharampur.
The elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases – on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.