Notwithstanding the criticism of Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee by a section of its leaders, the BJP in West Bengal has asked its members to refrain from making any "unwarranted" remark against the economist, who has achieved a cult status in the state for his rare feat.
A senior functionary of the Bengal BJP said on Monday that the derogatory statements made against the economist, who has his roots in Kolkata, would have a negative impact on the party in the state where it is making an all-out effort to unseat the TMC and seize power in the 2021 assembly polls.
According to state BJP sources, the "unsavoury" comments by a section of state and central leaders against Banerjee have not gone down well with the people of Bengal. The criticism has been perceived as an attempt to fuel "anti- Bengali" sentiments, they maintained.
Nirmala Banerjee, the mother of the Nobel laureate, on monday said detractors won't be able to prove their point of view simply by badmouthing her son.
Reacting to a disparaging comment on the Nobel prize winner's marital status, she said, "They are talking about his personal life and second marriage.
"If they think getting married to a foreigner ensures a Nobel, why don't they do it themselves? That way, we will have many more Nobel prize winners around."
Realising that Banerjee's criticism would not augur well for the party, a senior BJP leader said, "We have asked our party members and leaders not to make any unwarranted comment against Abhijit Banerjee. As per the feedback we have received, it has not gone down well with a large section of population, who are sensitive about their icons."
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content