Kolkata: A newly-elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA is furious with Muslims who, he claimed, didn’t vote for him in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections.
So much so that Ritesh Tiwari has vowed not to work for Muslims in his constituency, Kashipur-Belgachia.
A video of Tiwari, in which he is heard making controversial comments, has gone viral on social media.
Days after he defeated sitting Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and deputy mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation Atin Ghosh by a thin margin of 1,651 votes, Tiwari hit out against the Muslim voters of Kashipur-Belgachia constituency, in north Kolkata.
“In 74 years since the first election, I’m perhaps the first MLA of this constituency who has not received a single vote from Muslim community,” Tiwari says amid loud applause from party workers and supporters.
“Those who voted for me have a right over me. As for those who did not vote for me, I did not even visit their homes to seek votes,” Tiwari is heard saying in the video.
“Aaj baba Bholenath ko sakshi maan ke kahta hu ki ek kaam unka nahi karunga aane wale panch saal mein (I will not do any work for them in the upcoming five years)… Won’t issue even one certificate for them,” Tiwari vows.
“This (meeting) is being aired live. But I do not care who thinks what and who says what. Modiji says sabka saath sabka vikas (together with all, development for all), I accept that. But in this election, he has added a few more words, sabka hisaab (everyone’s account). So I will settle accounts. But not by doing what TMC did after the 2021 Assembly polls, but through democratic means, without slapping anyone, without taking one paisa from anyone,” the MLA added.
“I swear by Bholenaath, I will never work for Muslims, won’t sign a single certificate for them, won’t work for someone who didn’t vote for me, I’m saying it openly and it’s being broadcast live” said West Bengal BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari. pic.twitter.com/Uj45ja6aVv
— Waquar Hasan (@WaqarHasan1231) May 12, 2026
Tiwari’s explosive comments drew sharp reaction from the Congress.
“Ask the BJP that one of their MLAs in West Bengal is saying he will not work for Muslims. This is unconstitutional because our Constitution says that when you become an MLA, you have to work for everyone,” said Congress spokesperson Shama Mohammed.
“Also ask the BJP about Manoj Agarwal, who was earlier associated with the Election Commission as a senior official. He has now been made Principal Secretary. What work did he do, did he help in voter deletion or assist them? That is why he has been appointed,” she added.