The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday asserted that the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal has outdone the previous CPI(M) administration in subjecting the people of the state to atrocities.
Addressing concerns over alleged sexual harassment of women in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad criticised the Congress and other constituents of the opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc for their conspicuous silence on the matter.
Speaking at a press conference at the BJP headquarters in the national capital, Prasad commented, "The Sandeshkhali issue is becoming very serious. The patent assault, humiliating treatment, sexual assault on women is a shame on our society and democracy," as reported by PTI.
Prasad also aimed at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of "defending" such incidents in the state and questioning her conscience along with that of other opposition parties.
"When Mamata Banerjee struggled (in the past) against the CPI(M)'s atrocities and sat on an indefinite agitation against it, we all had become her fans and lauded her struggle. Today her atrocity, police repression, has surpassed that of the (then) CPI(M) (rule)," he charged.
"It's a shame. Where is her conscience?" he asked and added, "Mamata ji, you will have to give a reply. Mamata ji, you will have to pay for it. People will give a political reply to you."
Sandeshkhali, situated on the borders of the Sunderbans, has been gripped by protests after local women accused absconding Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shajahan and his supporters of land grab and sexual assault under coercion.
Prasad condemned the Congress top brass, the AAP, the Left parties, and other constituents of the I.N.D.I.A bloc for not speaking out on the Sandeshkhali issue, labeling their silence as evidence of "sheer hypocrisy and utter double standards".
BJP To Start 3-Day Protest In Kolkata From Feb 26:
Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar told reporters: "We will keep protesting. From 26th February, our 3-day protest will begin, from 11 PM to 6 PM. We will hold the protest in Kolkata, we have applied for permission. Why is Shahjahan Sheikh not yet arrested? Where is he hiding? Mamata Banerjee will have to answer".
Bengal DGP To Visit Sandeshkhali:
West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar is set to visit Sandeshkhali on Wednesday afternoon to assess the situation amid ongoing tensions and protests against alleged TMC-led atrocities and sexual harassment. This will be his first visit to the area since the protests broke out.
Accompanied by senior police officers, Kumar will visit the Sandeshkhali police station and the restive area. "First let me visit the area, and then I will speak to you guys," Kumar told reporters, as reported by PTI.
As normalcy struggles to return to the area, women in Sandeshkhali have accused Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of "land-grab and sexually assaulting" them under coercion. Sheikh has been absconding since a mob, allegedly affiliated with him, attacked Enforcement Directorate officials in connection with a ration scam on January 5.