Sayantan Basu courts controversy again with 'shoot in the chest' jab

Kolkata: BJP's Basirhat candidate Sayantan Basu has once again courted controversy, by saying that he would ask the Central Force jawans to shoot at the chest of those who will try to capture booths under his constituency, during the last phase of elections on May 19.

During his election rally in Basirhat on Monday, Basu said: "I would ask the Central Force jawans to shoot the miscreants who will try to create trouble inside the polling stations on the day of elections. I would tell them not to fire at the legs but at the chests of those who will indulge in booth jamming and false voting."

This is not the first time that Basu has made such obnoxious remarks. On earlier occasions, he had made similar statements that invited criticism from various quarters. It had also led to a slugfest between Trinamool and BJP leaders in the state. The Election Commission had also sought a report from the district administration of North 24-Parganas in this regard. While speaking to the reporters later in the day, Basu justified his remarks saying that in many parts of the state during previous phases of elections, miscreants were found capturing booths.

"You people created much hue and cry when I talked about firing at the goons in case of booth jamming. Anyone trying to capture polling booths will be shot in the chest as I will urge Central Force jawans for the same. What else can I say?" Basu told the reporters.

Trinamool district president Jyotipriya Mallick said the saffron party's votes will only reduce as Basu makes such irresponsible remarks. Mallick also asserted that the BJP candidate would be defeated by a margin of 4.5 lakh votes in Basirhat.

"BJP leaders like Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are making obnoxious remarks almost every day. Basu is no exception and he is trying to remain present in media spotlight," Mallick added.