The Trinamool Congress stated that it has become necessary for the party to inform President Droupadi Murmu of the true unfolding of incidents at Sandeshkhali. This move comes in response to conflicting narratives between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The BJP had accused local TMC leaders in Sandeshkhali of sexually harassing women in the region. This was refuted by the TMC saying that it was the false narrative of the BJP and that the saffron camp had allegedly paid money to women of Sandeshkhali to make "these false allegations".
According to PTI, the West Bengal minister and TMC leader Shashi Panja in Kolkata said that it is surprising that the BJP had taken a team from Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district and gave a "false portrayal" to none other than the President of the country.
"I feel there is a need to take a team from Sandeshkhali on our behalf and apprise the President of what had actually happened on the ground. We will seek the go-ahead from our top leadership for this", she was quoted by PTI. "The BJP team which had met the President had misguided her. The saffron camp is resorting to lies every now and then. Now we have to follow the right protocol to meet the President if our top leadership gives its approval in this regard", she added.
In a recent sting video, the authenticity of which has not been verified a local BJP leader Gangadhar Koyal is seen admitting that the BJP had paid women in Sandeshkhali to fabricate false allegations of sexual harassment.
"The BJP has stooped so low that the party has demeaned the prestige of women. They will get a befitting reply in the elections", Panja said.
She also claimed that the chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW) was also "involved in the conspiracy of the BJP at Sandeshkhali" and the Trinamool Congress will register a complaint against her with the Election Commission. The BJP wanted to reap political gains by making false narratives regarding Sandeshkhali, she added.
"The BJP should either apologise for this or keep quiet for now. The saffron party wants to portray that women are not safe in West Bengal under the Trinamool Congress regime", she said.
She further said regarding the allegations of outraging of modesty of a woman by the governor of West Bengal C V Ananda Bose, that the police can make inquiries but cannot start legal proceedings against him as he enjoys immunity under the Constitution.
TMC also alleged that the BJP was also hand-in-gloves with the coal mafia of West Bengal. "Many involved in smuggling of coal were seen during the departure of Home Minister Amit Shah from Durgapur airport on Friday", she claimed.