The cabinet minister in the West Bengal Government, Firhad Hakim, was allegedly found campaigning inside a mosque after the model code of conduct had come into force after the announcement of poll dates Friday.
He reminded the gathering of the 2002 Gujarat riots and appealed to the people to “stop those who killed Muslims from coming to West Bengal”.
The minister also promised Imams an increment in their salaries once Mamata Banerjee’s TMC comes to power again.
Firhad Hakim, mayor of Kolkata and a powerful minister in the government, is considered a close confidant of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
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The Election Commission of India announced the poll dates for the West Bengal assembly elections Friday. The voting in the state is spread over 8 phases, starting March 27. The counting of votes will start on May 2.
