Tainted BJP leader acts self-righteous

A BJP leader Kamal Maitra, who was once arrested on charges of demanding money posing as an officer of the Kolkata Police, on Tuesday found participating in a rally organised by his party here protesting against the alleged involvement of some Trinamool Congress leaders in taking money.

The Congress and CPI(M) too held rallies on this issue causing massive traffic congestion in the central business district.

In the BJP’s rally on Chittaranjan Avenue, Maitra was found walking behind many leaders and supporters in the procession that was headed by the party’s national secretary Rahul Sinha. 

Maitra, who was wearing a white linen shirt, was arrested from Polba when he was found demanding money posing as an officer of the city police. The incident had taken place at Polba. 

Police had reached the place after being informed by some youth in that area and he was subsequently arrested. He had failed to secure bail from lower courts and was in correctional home for around 3 months. Later, the Calcutta High court had granted him bail.

A Trinamool Congress leader said: “It shows how the BJP is trying to tarnish the image of our party when such people are participating in their rallies.”

Later, a five-member-team led by senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya met Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi at Governor’s house and urged him to look into the matter and take steps for an high-level probe into the incident. 

Congress supporters too held rallies at different places including Bowbazar and near Jagubabu Bazar. 

Congress supporters were found blowing money made of plastic paper at Bowbazar protesting against the incident. 

The rallies affected the traffic movement badly. Vehicles were found standing in a queue for hours. Children returning from schools had to wait in the traffic for hours. 

People were found walking leaving buses to reach the nearest metro stations due to the traffic congestion. 

The situation turned worse when some leaders staged dharna. The roads were cleared after senior police officers intervened.