Kolkata clashes: BJP brought goons from neighbouring states, says TMC

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New Delhi: Launching scathing attacks on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over violence in Kolkata during the roadshow of BJP chief Amit Shah, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Wednesday alleged that the saffron party had brought goons from neighbouring states to create violence in Kolkata.
While briefing media here, TMC senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’ Brien, who was accompanied by TMC leaders Sukhendu Roy, Manish Gupta and Nadim-ul Haque, said the BJP had brought goons from neighboring states- Bihar and Jharkhand to create violence in Kolkata.
“Anybody can come and do a procession, but what were the outsiders doing? Who is this fellow Tejinder Bagga? Who is he? He was arrested, is he not the same guy who slapped somebody in Delhi? You have taken your outsider goons,” Derek said.
Calling it a saddest day, Brien slammed BJP for vandalizing the bust of Bengal icon Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
The TMC leaders also played two videos during the press briefing showing people in saffron outfit vandalizing properties in the streets and pelting stones. The TMC alleged that several police personnel were also injured in the clashes.
Earlier in the day, BJP chief Amit Shah’s had claimed that the bust of Vidyasagar was placed inside the college and it could have vandalized only by TMC workers as the gates of the college were locked and BJP workers couldn’t have entered without keys.
However, TMC leaders alleged that the BJP workers jumped over the walls to enter into the college.
In another video shown by TMC leaders, a man claimed to be BJP leader has been seen asking saffron party members to fight with the TMC workers.
The TMC leaders also alleged that Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), deployed in West Bengal for election duty, have been working in alliance with the saffron party.
“The CAPF indulged into whisper campaign for BJP, they asked people to vote for BJP candidates. In this regard, we have already complained to the Election Commission thrice. It would be our fourth complaint to the EC,” O’ Brien added.
It is to be mentioned here that out of 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, polling on 33 seats has already been held and the remaining nine seats will go to polls in the final phase May 19.