Kolkata: It is a tough life for democracy in Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal. The Chief Minister’s party workers have turned the state into a jungle raj and the rule of the law has broken down at many places. Trinamool Congress (TMC) goons have resorted to violence to intimidate opposition party activists.
BJP is at the receiving end in West Bengal because TMC is fearing the saffron party’s recent surge in the state. BJP candidate, Sayantan Basu, said that around 100 BJP members are not allowed to vote. Reports say that BJP office in Barasath were torched by anti social elements of TMC.
North Kolkata BJP candidate, Rahul Sinha, was attacked by TMC workers. Reports of an explosion are coming from a polling station in Islampur where a by-election for the assembly is underway.
Rahul Sinha alleged that the State police looked on as he and his cameraman was attacked. They were rescued when CRPF personnel rushed to the spot.
BJP mandal president in Jadavpur was manhandled and his car thrashed by Mamata Banerjee’s party workers. TMC also did not spare the BJP candidate standing against the nephew of Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee. The goons attacked the BJP candidate Nilanjan Roy’s car and smashed it in anger for standing against Mamata’s nephew.
The BJP is alleging serious allegations against TMC and said that the party workers have been intimidating the BJP workers since the elections began.
A BJP spokesperson said,” Fearing the loss of seats, TMC jihadi brigade has been threatening saffron party workers in almost all the constituencies that go to polls.”
During the previous phase of elections in the state, TMC workers had heckled BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh and her vehicle was vandalized. In Bankura district, the BJP State leader Dilip Ghosh said he was attacked in a booth in Rampura.
The violence hit a high pitch in the state that the Election Commission had to curtail the campaigning time for the seventh phase by the Constitution’s Article 324.
In a press conference Amit Shah accused the media for not highlighting the fact that around 80 workers were killed by TMC in the state for standing up against Mamata Banerjee.