Tripura Police Arrest TMC Leader On Attempt To Murder Charge, Party Alleges Violence By BJP Supporters

The TMC is contesting the Tripura civic polls to be held on November 25. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee-led party is trying to gain a foothold in the state ahead of the 2023 assembly elections.

New Delhi: West Bengal Trinamool Congress leader Sayani Ghosh, who allegedly threatened Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb during a meeting in Agartala, was arrested by Tripura police on Sunday on the charge of attempt to murder, a police official said.

Sayani Ghosh is the youth unit secretary of TMC West Bengal. She was arrested after being called in for questioning in a police station in Tripura’s capital city Agartala, news agency PTI reported.

The development takes place before a planned visit by the TMC’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to the North-eastern state.

Sub-divisional Police Officer (Sadar) Ramesh Yadav informed that Sayani Ghosh was arrested under IPC Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 153A (promoting disharmony between two groups) for her comments against the Tripura Chief Minister.

He said that some persons who were with her allegedly threw stones at a street corner meeting which was being addressed by CM Biplab Deb.

As per PTI, a police official stated that a BJP worker had lodged a complaint over the incident, alleging that Sayani Ghosh reached the spot where the meeting was being held and shouted “Khela hobey” and claimed that there were not even 50 people in the gathering.

“Khela hobey” slogan was popularly used by the TMC during the assembly election in West Bengal held in March-April this year.

Sayani Ghosh was earlier detained for questioning in a police station and then arrested.

TMC Alleges Violence By BJP Supporters

TMC leaders have claimed that their workers were also roughed up by BJP supporters outside the East Agartala Women’s police station, a charge denied by the saffron party.

Abhishek Banerjee in a tweet accused the Tripura government of disregarding Supreme Court orders on the rights of political parties to hold peaceful programmes.

“@BjpBiplab has become so UNABASHEDLY BRAZEN that now even SUPREME COURT ORDERS DOESN'T SEEM TO BOTHER HIM. He has repeatedly sent goons to attack our supporters & our female candidates instead of ensuring their safety! DEMOCRACY BEING MOCKED under @BJP4Tripura," TMC’s national general secretary wrote on Twitter while posting a video of the alleged attack.

The Supreme Court had recently directed Tripura police to ensure that no political party is prevented from exercising their rights in accordance with the law for campaigning in a peaceful manner.

The TMC is contesting the Tripura civic polls to be held on November 25. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee-led party is trying to gain a foothold in the state ahead of the 2023 assembly elections.

Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev alleged that BJP sheltered goons attacked the leaders and workers of the party on the premises of the police station after Sayani Ghosh reached there.

Our candidates were beaten up; their houses vandalized and though complaints were filed, no action was taken. Police here are acting in a one-sided manner, she said, as reported by PTI.

TMC has repeatedly alleged that its candidates were being prevented from campaigning by the ruling BJP supporters.

TMC West Bengal secretary Kunal Ghosh said if this is what is democracy in Tripura, “we would recommend to our leaders to do the same thing (to the BJP) in West Bengal”.

Meanwhile, Tripura BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya has denied the allegation, saying that their workers did not ever attack anyone of the TMC as the party does not consider it as a political opponent to reckon with.

TMC Delegation In Delhi

Meanwhile, a delegation of TMC MPs will reach Delhi on Sunday night to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue of alleged police brutality in Tripura, TMC sources told PTI.

The party has sought an appointment with Amit Shah and its leaders will sit on a dharna from Monday morning.

“Gujarat model in Tripura. All India Trinamool Congress will never accept such fascist brutality. Trinamool MPs headed to Delhi. Now. Eyeball to eyeball,” tweeted party MP Derek O' Brien.

The TMC sources said the party delegation comprised more than 15 members.

(With Agency Inputs)