New Delhi: Former TMC MP and BJP leader Dinesh Trivedi on Thursday drew a comparison between the ongoing situation in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali and the violence that was reported in Nandigram during the erstwhile Left Front government in the state. Expressing his concerns following violent protests erupting in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, over allegations of sexual abuse and atrocities against women, the BJP leader highlighted parallels with the "past mistakes" of the Left Front government, news agency ANI reported.
The protests in question trace back to 2007, during the Left's tenure, when thousands, particularly women, took to the streets to oppose alleged land acquisition for a chemical hub in Nandigram. These violent demonstrations, coupled with similar opposition against the Tata Nano project in Singur and purported police firing on locals in Netai, were pivotal in the downfall of the three-decade-long Left rule in Bengal.
According to the news agency ANI, Trivedi said, "I see the events in Sandeshkhali as history repeating itself. What I saw in this area over the last few days bears an uncanny resemblance with what happened in Nandigram during the Left Front government. I am afraid that the ruling TMC and (Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee are making the same mistake that the Left did back in time."
Trivedi, who was associated with the TMC during the Nandigram events, claimed that TMC supporters in Sandeshkhali have turned against their party and government, "During the Nandigram movement, I had seen Left Front people (supporters) coming out on the streets against their own. Today, people who supported and voted for the TMC, are now coming out against them," ANI quoted Trivedi as saying.
Speaking on what he termed as the "major reason" for his departure from the TMC, Trivedi said, "Mamata Banerjee is making the same mistake that I fought against during my days in the TMC. It's what made me quit the party as well. I could see what was coming and, hence, I resigned (from the TMC)."
He further asserted that the violence and the public outcry in Sandeshkhali keep reminding him of the aftermath of the death of Tapasi Malik, an activist opposing alleged illegal land acquisition for the Nano project. "The violence in Sandeshkhali reminds me of Tapasi Mallik, who was burnt alive, and what happened thereafter," the BJP leader added.
Accusing CM Mamata Banerjee of lacking "empathy" for the distressed women in Sandeshkhali and across Bengal, Trivedi said, "Had the chief minister cared even a little bit about the plight of her fellow citizens, she would have visited Sandeshkhali by now. She should either stand with the distressed women at this time or step down as CM."
Advocating for central intervention amid escalating violence in Sandeshkhali, the BJP leader, as quoted by ANI said, "The Centre should take due cognisance of what is happening in Sandeshkhali. If the prevailing situation represents a total collapse of law and order and calls for the imposition of the President's Rule in the state then so be it. The people shouldn't be left to live in fear. As responsible citizens, we can't be mute spectators to all that is happening in Sandeshkhali. The people of Bengal can't be left at the mercy of goons."