Kolkata/IBNS: In a comment potential enough to catch the saffron party off-guard, West Bengal Leader of Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday gave call to stop "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" slogan and do away with the minority cell of the party.

Adhikari made the comment at the BJP's working committee meeting in Kolkata.

Addressing the leaders and workers, Adhikari said, "We will win, save Hindus and the Constitution. I had spoken in favour of nationalist Muslims and gave 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Saath' slogan. But I won't say that again.

"I will now give a call to work for them who are with us. Stop 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. There is no need for the minority wing."

Adhikari's remarks caught the glare as the 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' is a slogan which has been given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the supreme leader in the BJP.

Later in a clarification, Adhikari said, "My statement is being taken out of context. I am clear that those who are Nationalists, stand for this Nation and Bengal, we should be with them. Those who don’t stand with us, work against the interest of Nation and Bengal, we need to expose them."

"Also, like Mamata Banerjee, we shouldn’t divide people in majority and minority and see them as Indians. I embody in letter and spirit, Prime Minister’s call for Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.," the Nandigram MLA, who defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2021, added.

Slamming Adhikari's remark, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Riju Dutta posted on X, "... Guess he’s stature is probably taller than Mr. Modi in BJP! He also says "Jo Hamare Saath, Hum Unke Saath" & “there is no need of Minority Morcha in BJP”.

"Which essentially means @BJP4India is a party only for the Hindus and there is no place for Muslims in it. This is Unconstitutional & Anti National! Waiting for @narendramodi @AmitShah & @JPNadda‘s remark!!"

This was the first working committee meeting of the BJP since the Lok Sabha poll drubbing.

Despite much hype and repeated campaigns by Prime Minister Modi, the BJP suffered a jolt as its tally tanked from the previous figure of 18 to 12, failing to stop the Trinamool Congress juggernaut.