As West Bengal moves closer to the upcoming Assembly elections, political tensions in the state appear to be rising. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has highlighted attacks on BJP workers by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), increasing political violence in the state.
Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata on Wednesday, 4th March, the state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya said that BJP workers were targeted in different parts of the state. “There have been attacks on BJP workers in Hooghly, Murshidabad, North 24 Parganas, and some areas in Kolkata as well,” he said.
He also said that many BJP workers were beaten up and threatened, after which some of them were forced to flee their homes in the state of fear. Bhattacharya also said that the law and order situation in the state has worsened ahead of the Assembly elections.
“Criminal elements and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have become one. Even before the festival of democracy begins, central forces have been deployed in the state. It is a shame for the state,” Bhattacharya said.
He also reiterated that once the BJP forms the government in the state, the upper age limit for appearing in state government examinations will be increased by five years.
BJP accuses TMC of polarisation
The BJP leader further said that the ruling party is trying to create religious divisions for political gain. According to him, the TMC leadership has become desperate because it fears losing power in the upcoming election.
“They (TMC) know they will have to give up power, and that is why they have become desperate to hold on to it,” Bhattacharya said.
The BJP leader also stated that the deployment of central forces is a reflection of how serious the law and order situation is in the state. He stated that the BJP had demanded the deployment of central forces in earlier elections as well.
Bhattacharya also issued a warning to state officials, saying that those currently following the TMC’s instructions would eventually have to work under a BJP government in the future.
“Those state officers toeing the TMC line will have to work with the BJP government in the future,” he said.
BJP warns against disruption of Poriborton Yatra
Meanwhile, Union minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar warned the ruling party against trying to stop the BJP’s Poriborton Yatra, which is scheduled to begin on 5th March.
“Don’t dare stop or attack our Poriborton Yatra. You will get tit for tat treatment,” Majumdar said.
Bhattacharya also announced that the party’s Parivartan Yatra will start again on Thursday, 5th March, after a two-day halt because of Holi. Some senior leaders are likely to participate in these campaign programmes held across different districts.
The elections for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly are likely to take place in April, and the political situation is likely to intensify further in West Bengal as the campaign gains momentum.
