Amit Shah is a liar, retorts TMC; approaches poll panel

Releasing more than 40 videos of the violence and vandalism in Kolkata, in which a statue of social reformist Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was destroyed allegedly by BJP workers, the Trinamool Congress called BJP President Amit Shah a liar.

The Congress and the Left parties have also condemned the violence. While the Congress said “federal fascism” is embedded in BJP’s DNA, the CPI(M) said the BJP-TMC-created chaos is hitting at the heart of Bengal.

TMC moves EC

The TMC has moved the Election Commission with “proof” of the BJP’s involvement in Tuesday’s violence. TMC leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O’ Brien said his party is not only a tinge angry, but also disappointed and sad because of the happenings. He said outsiders brought by the BJP for Shah’s roadshow started the violence. “Students were protesting peacefully with placards. They (BJP workers) didn’t need a key to enter the college, they jumped walls. Shah’s press conference on Wednesday proved that he is a puke-worthy liar. Everybody who jumped in belonged to the BJP as they were wearing saffron,” he added.

Also read: TMC behind violence in Bengal, EC ‘mute spectator’ to poll code violations: Amit Shah

TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy met reporters after meeting EC officials and said the BJP created the ruckus. He said Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Singh Bagga was also involved in the violence.

Congress spokesperson and MP Abhishek Singhvi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah are squarely responsible for systematically damaging the cultural identity of each State in the country.

“Federal structure, respect for regional aspirations, culture, language, food habits, and identity of indigenous people are under attack by the BJP in every State. The negative politics of ‘destruction, demolition and discretion’ are methodically vitiating the political atmosphere in the country. The BJP wants to exert its monolithic supremacy and bigoted agenda on each State, thus weakening the federal polity,” he said.

Also read: Mamata holds ‘protest march’ against the BJP

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said the BJP and the TMC will not be allowed to get away with the violence.

“Vidyasagar was conferred the title — the ocean of knowledge. As a leading figure in the Bengal renaissance, he stood for progress, path-breaking reform and enlightenment. It is very clear why the Sangh Parivar would seek destruction of his ideas,” he said and added that the BJP and the RSS have always opposed Vidyasagar’s ideas.

For more: Elections 2019