BJP, TMC In Tug-Of-War After Attack On JP Nadda's Convoy; Centre Seeks Report From Bengal Govt | 10 Points

Accusing Trinamool Congress supporters of instigating the ambush, senior BJP leaders termed the act as a attack on democracy.

BJP National Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya receives treatment following an attack by alleged TMC activists on BJP National President JP Nadda's convoy at Sirakal near Diamond Harbour, in South 24 Pargana. (Image: PTI)

Kolkata: The state of West Bengal is due for assembly elections in 2021, and the political parties have started bracing up for the campaigning. BJP has kick-started the campaign for the 294-seat assembly, which has been held by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banarjee for the last two terms. On Thursday, stones were pelted on the convoy of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda, and General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya’s vehicle was ransacked, while the two leaders were on their way to Diamond Harbour to meet party workers for the upcoming Bengal assembly elections in 2021. Accusing Trinamool Congress supporters of instigating the ambush, senior BJP leaders termed the act as a attack on democracy. The BJP leaders and senior ministers also demanded the strictest possible action against "goons" who carried out the attack. Meanwhile reacting to the allegations, Trinamool Congress leader Madan Mitra denied any involvement and called it "people’s revolt". Further, TMC minister Farhid Hakim said that BJP brings outsiders into the state and do not even inform the state government. BJP-TMC West Benagal Conundrum | 10 Points 1. BJP President who suffered the attack called it “unprecedented” and targeting Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee he said the state has slipped into "complete lawlessness and goonda raj". 2. Nadda, at a press conference, slammed Mamata Banerjee and said that the attack on his convoy speaks a lot about her mentality and her party. He also slammed the TMC for the corruption in the state and said that 'cut money is the order of the day, way of life under TMC rule in West Bengal'. 3. Refuting to the allegations of the BJP President, Bengal CM alleged the BJP for staging the attack. She also said, “They (BJP) are slapping themselves and blaming it on the Trinamool Congress. Just think of the situation.” 4. Banerjee targeting BJP said that the party has no audience in the West Bengal, so they call their party workers to stage dramas. “The attack might have been planned, I have asked Police to investigate but I won't put up with lies all the time,” she further said. 5. Following the attack, the Union Home Ministry sought a report from the Bengal government on alleged "serious security lapses" during the visit of BJP president JP Nadda to the state. Nadda is entitled to Z-Plus security cover, which has been granted by the Home Ministry. 6. Apart from seeking a report from the state government, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also condemned the attack on the BJP chief and said the state has descended into an era of tyranny, anarchy and darkness under the TMC rule. 7. Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal also deplored the attack in a press conference on farm laws dubbed it as an attack on democracy in West Bengal. Tomar said that the attack on party leaders shows that there is a complete breakdown of law and order situation in Bengal. 8. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the attack on the convoys of BJP leaders should be thoroughly investigated and the responsibility of this incident should be fixed. 9. The convoys of JP Nadda and Kailash Vijavargiya were attacked on Thursday, as the party leaders were on their way to Diamond Harbour to address party workers ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. 10. On Wednesday, BJP Bengal Chief Dilip Ghosh wrote a letter to the home ministry alleging “serious security lapses” of the party president. JP Nadda is on a two-day visit to Kolkata as the saffron party has begun it’s campaigning for the upcoming state assembly elections.