Kolkata witnessed wide-spread violence between TMC and BJP during Amit Shah's massive road show Tuesday. A bust of 19th century Bengali icon Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was vandalised during the violence.
Addressing a rally here, the chief minister lashed out at the PM for promising to install his grand statue at the same spot in Kolkata. “He (PM) said he'll make Vidyasagar statue. Bengal has money to make the statue. Can he give back the 200 years old heritage? We've proof & you say that TMC has done. Bengal does not want any alms from Modi.”
Calling PM a ‘liar’, Banerjee said, “Aren't you ashamed? He should do sit ups for lying so much. Liar. Prove allegations otherwise we'll drag you to jail”
On BJP allegation that TMC was behind the vandalism of Vidyasagar, she said, “first give proof that TMC was responsible behind the desecration of Vidyasagar statue and if it cannot be proven then you will be jailed.”
Accusing the election commission of working at the behest of BJP, Banerjee said, “last night we came to know that BJP had filed a complaint with EC so that we can't hold any meeting after Narendra Modi's meeting. EC is brother of BJP, earlier it was an impartial body now everyone in the country says EC has sold out to BJP."
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“I feel sad but I don't have anything to say, I am ready to go to jail for saying this. I am not scared to say the truth,” she added.
Alleging that the saffron party “destroyed 200-year-old heritage of West Bengal”, Banerjee said “those supporting the party will not be accepted by society.”
Further in her speech, she alleged “BJP posting fake videos on social media to instigate people, cause riots.”
Recounting last year’s instance of statue of former Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin being pulled down in Tripura, the CM said “vandalising statues is one of the habits of BJP; the party has done so in Tripura too.”
Earlier during the day, PM Narendra Modi addressing a rally in Mau (Uttar Pradesh) said,"The statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was broken by TMC goondas during the road show of BJP President Amit Shah. Those involved in this act should be given strong punishment".