Kolkata: Escalating his attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will end political and election violence in West Bengal after coming to power and reached out to the electorate stating only “Bhoomi Putra” of West Bengal will become the Chief Minister.
Shah, who was speaking during a town hall meeting at Kamarhati in North 24 Parganas district, alleged that no arrests were made despite the killings of over 100 BJP workers in West Bengal.
“130 BJP workers have been killed in West Bengal so far but not one arrest has been made yet. After the BJP comes to power here, not even one TMC worker will be killed. If such a thing happens, strict action will be taken,” he said.
The Union Home Minister while speaking at an election rally in Basirhat Dakshin earlier reiterated his accusation that Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee instigated the Cooch Behar violence.
He also cornered the Chief Minister for demanding his resignation over the incident and said the people of West Bengal will give her a befitting reply on May 2 when the results are declared.
“Didi is repeatedly saying Amit Shah must resign. Didi, when people will ask me to resign, then I will. But you must prepare as you will have to resign on May 2,” he said.
Shah also conducted massive roadshows in Ranaghat Dakshin and Nadia district’s Santipur ahead of the fifth phase of polling in the state.
The Home Minister, while speaking in Santipur where he was campaigning for BJP candidate Jagannath Sarkar, accused the TMC supremo of politicising the firing incident at a polling booth in Sitalkuchi Assembly seat in Cooch Behar district and said political violence will vanish from the state after the BJP comes to power.
“Yesterday, an unfortunate incident happened in Cooch Behar. Some miscreants attacked the CISF (personnel) and tried to snatch their weapon and in the firing four miscreants died. It is a sad incident. But even sadder is its politicisation. A few days back Mamata had provoked the public against the central forces. I ask Mamata, is her speech not responsible for the incident?” Shah said alleging the TMC chief was indulging in politics of appeasement and pleasing her vote bank.
Over 78 percent voter turnout was recorded in the fourth phase of the assembly elections. The campaigning is in full swing for the fifth phase of the assembly polls on April 17.
West Bengal is voting in eight phases this time. The results will be declared on May 2.