West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing it of misleading people. She said India has a Federal structure and one party doesn't have monopoly over the system.
"If somebody has no work, what will they do? They [BJP] are misleading. You run the government at the Centre. We run the state government. We always work together. Don't think it's your monopoly," Banerjee said when asked if the Opposition is painting a negative image of the Trinamool Congress government.
The BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state have locked horns after the Vande Bharat stone pelting incident. While the BJP demanded an NIA investigation into the incident, the Trinamool Congress hinted at a "conspiracy to defame the state".
Earlier in the day, Mamata Banerjee reacted to the Vande Bharat Express stone pelting, saying that the incident took place in Bihar and not in Bengal. "People of Bihar may be angry, as they too want Vande Bharat. Just because BJP isn't in power there, doesn’t mean people shouldn't get the train. Action will be taken against those spreading fake news on WB," the Bengal CM said.
"Vande Bharat is nothing special. It is just an old train refurbished with a new engine," she added.
West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, meanwhile, said: "It is shameful that Vande Bharat express is being attacked or ransacked in no other state. The state government will do nothing against the perpetrators to secure its vote bank."
Stones were hurled at the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express on Monday and Tuesday, just four days after it was launched in Bengal's Howrah. The stone pelting resulted in a crack in the glass shield of the door. However, all passengers have been reported to be safe. The train wasn't delayed, as the damage was not significant enough to halt the train that would've caused the delay.
Railway authorities on Thursday claimed they have identified those who threw stones at the train.
Meanwhile, three minors were arrested in Kishanganj, Bihar, for hurling stones at the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express on January 3. The Pothia police arrested them on the basis of video footage.
(With inputs from agencies.)