Actor-turned-politician Deepak Adhikari aka Dev on Saturday urged the people of Malda to vote for development and not on religious lines.

“When you go to a school or a hospital, you never ask the religious identity of your classmate or the person lying in the bed next to yours. I request you not to vote on religious lines but on the issue of development. The freedom of our country was hard-earned and we should cherish freedom in all sectors,” Dev said at a public meeting in Malda's Mothabari while campaigning for Shahnawaz Ali Raihan, the Trinamool candidate of Malda Dakshin seat.

In Malda, Trinamool has never won any of the two Lok Sabha seats, Uttar or Dakshin, so far. This time, the party has consistently focused on the two seats, but its leaders are nonetheless perturbed by the presence of Congress candidates. Both parties are part of the INDIA bloc. However, they could not arrive at a seat-sharing equation in Bengal.

“The district has around 50 per cent Muslim population. The BJP, much like in 2019, has started polarising votes. Trinamool is eyeing the minority vote bank and fears that if Congress takes away a considerable part of the minority votes, it will eventually benefit the BJP,” said an observer.

That is why leaders and campaigners of the Trinamool camp are urging the people of Malda, especially minorities, to vote for them and not the Congress to avoid a vote split.

In his speech, the Ghatal MP said people should choose Raihan over others. “I am sure that the most suitable party and the candidate will get your support... and that will make the difference. I am confident that you will bless the right party and the right candidate. In Malda Dakshin, Shahnawaz Ali Raihan should get your blessings,” he said.

Unlike most political leaders who usually launch vitriolic attacks on their rivals, Dev on Saturday took a different approach.

“The BJP, the Congress or the CPM... no one is my enemy. You cast your vote for any party of your choice but please think if that party has fulfilled the promises it earlier made to you,” said the MP fielded by Trinamool for the third time.

Subtly, Dev drew a comparison between the BJP and Trinamool.

“Through this election, a government will be formed at the Centre. Instead of counting the number of temples or mosques consecrated over the years, comparisons should be drawn on the number of hospitals, schools and roads built by the central and state governments,” Dev said.

The Narendra Modi government, Dev said, didn’t fulfill the promises.

“Prices of petroleum products, including LPG, have skyrocketed in the past 10 years. Youths didn’t get employment. If you want to vote for them, seek a list of only 10 constructive things they have done in the last 10 years,” he said.

Malda Uttar and Dakshin vote on May 7.