In a controversial statement on Saturday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur accused Trinamool Congress (TMC) activists of orchestrating violence during the recently concluded West Bengal panchayat elections under the direction of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Thakur, who was in Kolkata to felicitate BJP's winning candidates, claimed that over 57 people lost their lives in clashes during the electoral process.
Addressing reporters, Thakur expressed his concern over the state of law and order in West Bengal, stating, "To fulfill Mamata Banerjee's wishes, people were killed. The entire law and order in West Bengal is in shambles. Mamata didi, your party leaders under your instruction resorted to hooliganism (during this panchayat polls)."
Continuing his accusations, the BJP leader alleged that Banerjee had been sheltering hooligans and criminals for her political benefit for the past 8-9 years. He also highlighted that the BJP had made significant gains in the rural polls, doubling the number of seats compared to the previous elections. Thakur saw this as an indication that people are standing up against the ruling party, according to PTI.
In response to Thakur's visit to West Bengal, State Industry Minister and TMC leader Shashi Panja questioned the timing of the visit, especially when "Manipur is burning." She criticized Thakur for his past controversial statement, "Goli maro desh ke gaddaro ko" (shoot the traitors), and demanded accountability for his remarks.
Panja also criticized the BJP for allegedly propagating violence and seeking to overthrow the democratically elected government in West Bengal. She questioned the silence of the Prime Minister and other Union ministers on the situation in Manipur and suggested they prioritize addressing the unrest in the northeastern state.
Amid the heated exchange of accusations, West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim dismissed Thakur's visit as having little impact. He refrained from discussing the BJP leaders, stating that those who vandalize statues of legends won't gain much by visiting Kolkata.
