CM Mamata condemns attack, alleges BJP plot

Siliguri: Appealing to all to maintain peace and not succumb to provocation, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condemned the attack on judicial officers and alleged that Union Home minister Amit Shah was behind a “larger conspiracy,” in collusion with the Congress, CPI(M) and “a Hyderabad-based party,” which she claimed led to the hostage-like situation at Kaliachak in Malda.

Demanding Shah’s immediate resignation, Banerjee alleged that the objective was to disrupt the upcoming Assembly elections and pave the way for clamping President’s Rule in Bengal.

Blaming the Election Commission (EC) for the law and order situation, Banerjee said she had not been informed about the incident by the Chief Secretary or the Director General of Police and remained unaware of it until the early hours of Thursday.

This is BJP’s gameplan and the Government of India is a party to this. They are provoking you, and then the whole state is being blemished. They want to impose President’s rule,” stated Banerjee from her campaign rally in Sagardighi, Murshidabad.

Later, addressing a campaign rally in Baishnabnagar in Malda, Banerjee stated: “They have stripped us of all powers. Law and order is not under my jurisdiction anymore. The Election Commission has failed to maintain law and order.”

Making an oblique remark on the Congress, CPI(M) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM,) Banerjee said: “There are some political outfits that run on BJP’s funding. They work as agents to ensure victory for the BJP. They come and provoke the minority community. Where were you when migrant workers were being harassed and killed in other states? Did you utter a single word on their behalf? Now you are here to divide votes.”

She warned the public not to step into any provocation. “If you trust me, stay away from such provocations. Do not get involved in riots. What will be achieved by taking Judges hostage? Maintain peace,” urged Banerjee.

The TMC supremo stated that her party did not believe in violence and rioting. “We have nothing to do with this. Whoever is involved should not be spared. Appropriate action has to be taken against all those who are involved, including the masterminds,” demanded Banerjee.

She asked people to remain alert in border areas. “They will throw stones at you, and if you step into provocation and retaliate, they will immediately label it ‘Hindu-Muslim.’ Then they will send the CBI and NIA and arrest you. Till you join BJP, they will rot you in jail. This is what the conspiracy is about,” alleged Banerjee.

Banerjee alleged that while genuine residents were being struck off the electoral rolls, names of outsiders were being included as part of the greater conspiracy. “BJP wants to take control of Bengal by force” she said.

“They are striking off names to deport you from the country. If votes are divided and they come to power you will be stripped of your address, house and your rights,” cautioned Banerjee.

Taking a dig at Congress, Banerjee said that the BJP would not have come to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections had the Congress been a strong party.

“Had they (Congress) been strong, the BJP would not have come to power in the last general elections,” Banerjee said.