Trinmaool Congress Workers Behind Kolkata Clashes, Says Amit Shah; Calls EC 'Mute Spectator'

BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday blamed Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the violence in West Bengal and said the Election Commission has become a "mute spectator".

Addressing the media in Delhi, Shah alleged that the Trinmaool Congress workers damaged Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar's bust to gain sympathy as the Mamata Banerjee-led party has realised its "reverse count" has begun.

Shah said he would not have escaped unhurt without CRPF protection when his convoy was allegedly attacked in Kolkata during a roadshow on Tuesday.

He said West Bengal has witnessed violence in all the six phases of Lok Sabha polls.

"The BJP is contesting polls in all states. There has been no violence. But there has been violence in West Bengal as TMC is contesting elections there ... it is simple," he said.

Accusing the poll panel of being a "mute spectator" in West Bengal, he alleged that history-sheeters were not arrested before polls.

He also alleged that the EC has laid "double standards" and it has been partial towards the Trinamool Congress.

On Tuesday, BJP and TMC supporters fought pitched battles on the streets of Kolkata during a massive roadshow by Shah, who escaped unhurt but was forced to cut short the jamboree and had to be escorted to safety by police.

Parts of the city plunged into a welter of violence as his convoy was attacked with stones by alleged TMC supporters from inside the hostel of Vidyasagar College, triggering a clash between supporters of the two parties, officials said.

Furious BJP supporters retaliated and were seen exchanging blows with their TMC rivals outside the college entrance.

Several motorcycles parked outside were vandalised and set ablaze. Shards of broken glass littered the lobby of the college where a bust of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a noted philosopher and a key figure of Bengal Renaissance, was also vandalized.