Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is taking aim at Union Minister Anurag Thakur following a verbal misstep in Parliament, branding the incident as a display of "BJP's trademark ignorance". The controversy erupted after Thakur, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament, incorrectly referred to the national song "Vande Mataram" as "Vande Bharat" during a parliamentary session.

The TMC swiftly condemned the error, mockingly suggesting that Thakur should "revise" his Class IV history lessons before making public addresses. In a post on X, the TMC stated that Thakur's mistake was not a mere slip of the tongue but rather a manifestation of the BJP's widespread lack of knowledge. The party further questioned the BJP's claim to patriotism, asking how individuals who "can't even say Vande Mataram without turning it into 'Vande Bharat'" can lecture the nation on the subject.

This isn't an isolated incident. The TMC also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly demeaning Bengal's icons by referring to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee as "Bankim-Da". Dola Sen, a Trinamool Congress MP, questioned how those who contributed nothing to India's freedom struggle could grasp the greatness of figures like Masterda Surya Sen or Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Accusations of spreading misinformation have also been leveled against Thakur. Recently, Thakur accused a TMC MP of smoking an e-cigarette inside the House, which sparked a controversy in Parliament. Dola Sen denied the accusations, calling them a lie and accusing Thakur of spreading false information.

Thakur, a prominent figure in the BJP, has served as the Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs, and Information and Broadcasting. He has also been a Member of Parliament for Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, since 2008. His political career has been marked by both achievements and controversies. In the past, the Congress party has accused Thakur of violating the Model Code of Conduct with "outrageous" remarks made at a poll rally. He has also faced criticism for his handling of sports-related issues.

The TMC's attacks on Thakur highlight the ongoing political tensions between the two parties. The TMC has accused the BJP of distorting history and disrespecting Bengal's heritage. The BJP, in turn, has accused the TMC government in West Bengal of providing shelter to "anti-government forces" and supporting those committing atrocities. These accusations and counter-accusations reflect the deep-seated political rivalry between the two parties, particularly in the lead-up to elections.