TMC takes out rallies in Howrah

The Trinamool Congress held rallies in Howrah protesting against the "provocative" statement of BJP Yuva Morcha leader Yogesh Varshney announcing Rs 11 lakh for beheading Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Arup Roy, the state Cooperative minister and MLA from Central Howrah Assembly Constituency, headed the rally that started from Shibpur Tram Deport and ended at Bangabashi crossing.

Another rally was held near Dobson Road in Howrah and it was headed by Lakshmi Ratan Shukla, the Minister of State of Youth Services and Sports department and MLA from North Howrah Assembly constituency.

Most of the members, Mayors-in-Council and Councillors of the Howrah Municipal Corporation took part in the rally.

Besides thousands of party workers and supporters, many common people joined the rallies. They shouted slogans against the BJP Yuva Morcha leader and demanded exemplary punishment of the leader.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) initiated a probe in this connection and if necessary, Yogesh will be questioned by the investigating agency.

However, there was no traffic congestion during the rally as the Howrah Traffic Police made an elaborate arrangement to avoid traffic snarls caused out of the rallies. The vehicles were diverted through an alternate thoroughfare.

It may be mentioned that intellectuals of the city had raised their voice against such a "provocative" statement that was passed against the

Chief Minister. On Wednesday, even Parliament had strongly condemned the statement saying that the state government was free to take legal action against the leader. Trinamool Congress members raised the issue in both the Houses. All major parties and the government had condemned the statement.

Stating it as a serious matter, BSP supremo Mayawati had said: "BJP should not just condemn the act but should also take action." While reacting on the issue Jaya Bachchan had said that there was a need to take aggressive steps for the protection of women.