Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], March 12 (ANI): Indian Secular Front (ISF) leader Nawsad Siddique on Wednesday launched a scathing attack against Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari over his remarks against the Muslim MLAs of Trinamool Congress (TMC), labelling it as 'absolutely undemocratic.'

Demanding Adhikari to withdraw his statement, he questioned whether the top leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would agree to such remarks. Siddique added that the LoP made these remarks to continue the rivalry between BJP and TMC.

'Does his party agree with him? Will the top BJP leadership agree to this? This is absolutely undemocratic. They only want to engage in Hindu-Muslim politics in West Bengal owing to the upcoming (assembly) elections. He said this to maintain the rivalry between BJP and TMC. He is a responsible leader, and he should withdraw it (his statement),' Siddique told ANI.

The ISF leader said that if Adhikari wanted to 'throw out' Muslim MLAs, he should do the same in states where the BJP was in power.

'Suvendu Adhikari was thrown out of the assembly by the Speaker, but who is facing the wrath? Muslim MLAs. If he really wants to throw out Muslim MLAs, he should get it done in Assam, UP, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and even in the centre where there are BJP governments,' Siddique added.

His reaction comes amid a huge uproar over the remarks made by Adhikari, where he said that the BJP will defeat Mamata Banerjee and will throw out the Muslim MLAs of her party.

BJP leader Adhikari, on Tuesday, had said, 'Firstly, I will defeat Biman Bandhopadhyay (Speaker), then Mamata Banerjee. After that, those Muslim MLAs from TMC--when the BJP government comes--will be thrown out on this road.'

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday criticised Adhikari for his remarks in the Assembly, accusing the BJP of targeting Muslims during the holy month of Ramzan to divert attention from economic and trade issues.

In the Assembly, CM Banerjee said, 'Democracy is permanent, but the chair is not. Respect the chair. How can you think of throwing out Muslim MLAs? They (BJP) are targeting the Muslims because this is the Roza month, and they don't like this. They are trying to distract the attention of the country from economic and trade collapse by making communal statements. I'm a Hindu, and I don't need certification from the BJP.'

Reacting to Adhikari's statement, she further said, 'We must take a resolution and condemn the statement of demeaning one religion.'

West Bengal CM added, 'The Protection of Hindus is our responsibility, not only yours. This is the responsibility of this chair.'

Intensifying the attack on Adhikari, TMC MP Saugata Roy on Wednesday said, 'Suvendu is a fool, and fools daydream, and this is also his dream. But Suvendu's statement is a communal statement, and he is trying to make a communal mindset.' (ANI)