In a midnight crackdown on BJP leaders and workers, dozens of BJP karyakartas including BJP Delhi spokesperson Tajinder Bagga have been detained by Kolkata Police. According to sources they were picked up at around 3 am earlier today. Kolkata goes to polls on May 19 in the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
BJP President Amit Shah had carried out a roadshow in Kolkata last evening which showed a huge turnout despite TMC government’s attempt to scuttle BJP’s campaigning. Other than the usual slogans of the party, the workers also chanted ‘Jai Shree Ram’ during the roadshow, which will surely irk CM Mamata more. Artists dressed as Lord Ram and other characters of Ramayana also seen among the sea of saffron wearing supporters of the party. Earlier this month, Mamata Banerjee had confronted people who chanted ‘Jai Shree Ram’ when her car passed by, accusing them of abusing her.
The election in West Bengal has been marked with large scale violence and electoral malpractices by the ruling party in the state. Several BJP leaders and workers have been attacked by TMC goons, including state party president Dilip Ghosh and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The social media is filled with videos from polling booths from the state showing TMC workers voting on behalf of genuine voters, right in front of election officials and security personnel.
Various Twitter users came out and extended support to Bagga and BJP karyakartas and demanded their immediate release.
https://twitter.com/muglikar_/status/1128494423891894272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/KapilMishra_IND/status/1128497971794857984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
OpIndia tried to call New Market Police Station to get a statement from Kolkata Police but we were kept on hold for six minutes, twice and did not get a response. We shall update the story when we have more information.