In a video that has surfaced, Trinamool Congress MLA from Chakdaha and Minister of State for MSME and textiles, Ratna Ghosh Kar, can be seen inciting violence against Central Forces deployed in West Bengal to ensure free and fair elections in the state.
Kar said at a closed-door meeting recalling the 2016 state elections, “Nothing is fair or unfair in a war. There are democratic or undemonstrative ways to do it. You have to win (the war) by any means. I have seen it in 2016 elections, how the Central forces (CRPF) have beaten up our boys (Trinamool workers). There was a bloodbath. This time it is more challenging. There is nothing to be scared.”
She then instructed members of TMC’s Women’s Wing to pick up broomsticks and chase away the Central Forces. She said, “I will go to each and every polling booth, irrespective of the presence of the CRPF Jawans. And if the CRPF is taking pro-active action, then I request the Mahila (women) members to pick up broomsticks and chase them away from our area.”
The Minister’s remarks come after widespread polling malpractice and violence was reported in West Bengal during the first phase of the Lok Sabha Elections. Reports indicate that the BJP could win a significant share of the seats in the state, thus making the TMC nervous.
Trinamool appears to have abandoned all sense of caution in its bid to retain its stranglehold over Bengal politics. Recently, even Bangladeshi actors were spotted campaigning for TMC candidates. The actor has since been blacklisted for violating visa norms.