PM Modi dials WB Governor, expresses concern over law and order situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed his anguish and concern over West Bengal post-poll violence in a telephonic conversation with state Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, asking him to restore law and order. Several other political leaders have also expressed their views over the alleged post-poll violence in West Bengal.

Kolkata: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him and expressed his "serious anguish and concern" at the alarmingly worrisome law and order situation in the state following the culmination of the assembly elections.

Source: Twitter

"PM called and expressed his serious anguish and concern at alarmingly worrisome law & order situation @MamataOfficial I share grave concerns @PMOIndia given that violence vandalism, arson loot and killings continue unabated. Concerned must act in overdrive to restore order," tweeted Dhankhar.

Read:|Bengal Governor says halt 'senseless political violence'

He also said that concerned authorities must act in overdrive to restore order.

Earlier in the day, the West Bengal Governor directed the police and the Kolkata Commissioner to end "senseless political violence, vandalism, arson, killings and intimidation that shames democracy".

He further stated that the Bengali diaspora across the globe has expressed concern over the alarming lawlessness in the state.

BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta has also appealed to the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court to take suo moto action directing the administration to stop the wave of political recriminations in West Bengal following the assembly elections.

Violence was reported from Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar on Monday. BJP's party office was vandalised in Nandigram.

On Sunday evening, media persons were assaulted by unknown miscreants in Haldia.

Read:|BJP, ABVP offices in Bengal allegedly vandalised by TMC workers

Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress won 213 seats in the just concluded West Bengal assembly elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party garnered 77 seats in the 294-seat state assembly. However, elections for two seats in Murshidabad are postponed due to the demise of candidates due to COVID.

Sambit Patra's reaction:

Meanwhile, after widespread post-poll violence allegedly by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers in West Bengal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday targetted the TMC and claimed that the acts were "state-sponsored".

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that "whatever is happening in Bengal is state-sponsored violence".

"Whatever is happening in Bengal is state-sponsored. The violence, arson, rape and cruelty, all are state-sponsored. TMC used to send a delegation and do photo tourism in other states, did you send a delegation to violence-ridden areas," said Patra.

"What was the fault of people who chose a different ideology?" he asked.

"Through TV and social media, we could see houses burning, workers being murdered, anarchy is ruling the state and administration has crumbled. Our workers are calling our leaders to seek help. They are saying their family members are being killed," he added.

"I want to ask - what was the fault of Abhijit Sarkar who was killed? What was the fault of Shoba Rani Mandal - a booth worker from Jagaddal, who was killed? What was the fault of Uttam Ghosh, Horom Adhikary, Momik Moitra, and Gourab Sarkar? Asked Patra," the BJP leader alleged.

Read:|MHA seeks report from Bengal Govt on post-poll violence

"We appeal to the BJP workers that the party stands in strength with you. It will come to you and support you during this hour. BJP National President JP Nadda Ji will personally visit them - the same Nadda Ji, who was attacked by TMC goons earlier,' he added.

BJP's Bolpur candidate in Bengal polls, Anirban Ganguly alleged, "Several BJP workers have had to leave their houses in Bolpur, Birbhum and other constituencies for their safety. They are spending their days in fear."

"Several BJP workers are getting anonymous phone calls that are mostly death threats. Bengal Minister and TMC leader Firhad Hakim had also said that after elections end and Central forces leave the state, we will take care of everyone," Ganguly added.

"Whatever TMC is doing is very close to Nazi Germany's fascism. This is a fascist govt. Such incidents do not take place in a democratic govt. Where is Arvind Kejriwal Ji, Sharad Pawar Ji today? Why are they silent today about the people of Bengal today?" Ganguly questioned.

Patra also slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his statements about saving democracy.

"And I want to ask other parties as well, including Rahul Gandhi to save democracy. Today your cadre is crying for help. Adhir Ranjan and congress leaders are asking for help. We need to be one for humanity. We are the main opposition party in Bengal and we pledge that 2.28 crores Bengalis who have shown faith in us we will stand with them," said Patra.

"BJP President JP Nadda will be on a two-day visit to West Bengal starting today to hold a protest against the alleged atrocities on party workers in the state by the ruling TMC government. He will meet the BJP workers and their families affected by the violence and will hold protests," he added.

BJP has also announced to hold a nationwide dharna on May 5 while following all COVID-19 protocols across all organisational mandals of the party.

Read:|Three political workers killed in West Bengal

"Mamata Ji - you've won and everyone has congratulated you for it. You're a woman and the daughter of Bengal. Aren't these women who're being killed and raped daughters of Bengal? Do they deserve this?" he questioned.

Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress won 213 seats in the just concluded West Bengal assembly elections. The BJP garnered 77 seats in the 294-seat state assembly.

Mamata will be taking oath as the state Chief Minister for the third consecutive term on Wednesday.

Sanjay Raut's reaction:

On the other hand, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said since the TMC won the recently concluded assembly elections by a huge mandate, the maximum responsibility goes to the party to calm the people down and establish peace.

"Mamata ji's party won the election by a huge majority. Therefore, the maximum responsibility is that of the TMC leaders to calm down the people, make them understand and establish peace," said Raut.

Hinting at the Central government, Raut stated that since Mamata Banerjee tendered her resignation yesterday, the law and order is in the hands of the Central Police Forces, adding that if any untowardly incident happens in the state, then everybody should take responsibility for it.

"Currently the state is under the control of the Central Police Force, no government has been established there yet. Yesterday Mamta Ji has submitted her resignation. The Election Commission and the Central Force which has been sent there (West Bengal) by the Centre have law and order in their hands. If something happens then everyone has to take the responsibility."

Hours after BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh warned West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee to stop violence in the state over the attack, Raut further questioned that if such war of words continues between both sides then what will happen to the law and order in the state?

Read:|Mamata to take oath as West Bengal CM for third term on May 5

"If similar statements keep coming from both sides, then what will happen to the law and order. Who will appeal for peace? The central government which is the greatest, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and JP Nadda who is going to West Bengal, should request the people to stay calm and maintain peace," said Raut.

Raut's remarks came after BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh had earlier in the day warned West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee to stop violence in the state.

Asking how would TMC leaders feel if they are treated the same way when they go to Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, he further warned the party MPs and MLAs to stay within their limits. Reacting to the alleged attack that took place the very next day the TMC emerged victorious in the West Bengal Assembly elections, the West Delhi Lok Sabha MP said that victory and defeat are a part of an election but murders are not.

Singh had said that 'TMC goons' were killing BJP workers, breaking their vehicles and setting their houses on fire, the BJP leader had earlier too issued a warning to Mamata Banerjee and her party leaders in a tweet on Monday.

The Shiv Sena leader further stated, "Now the election is over. Whether on this side or the other side, if peace is not established and such bloodshed continues, then everyone's name will be spoilt."

Stating that West Bengal's history has always been of political violence and no party has remained untouched by this, he emphasised that Coronavirus is speeding its grip over the country and said that "working together in a unified manner is the need of the hour."

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) alleged that 15-20 party goons of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attacked ABVP West Bengal's Kolkata office and engaged in an altercation with the activists, assaulted them and vandalised the organization's state office. They further alleged that TMC party goons deliberately vandalised the idols of Hindu deities and freedom fighters.

"Mamata Banerjee's defeat in Nandigram had made the TMC cadres very resentful of those responsible for her loss and that such 'traitors' would not be allowed to live in Bengal for long," ABVP said.

Read:|Mamata Banerjee tenders resignation to Bengal governor at Raj Bhavan

BJP president JP Nadda will be on a two-day visit to West Bengal starting from Tuesday to hold a protest against the alleged atrocities on party workers in the state by the ruling TMC government.

He will meet the BJP workers and their families affected by the violence and will hold protests.BJP has also announced to hold a nationwide dharna on May 5 while following all COVID-19 protocols across all organisational mandals of the party.

Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress won 213 seats in the just concluded West Bengal assembly elections. The BJP garnered 77 seats in the 294-seat state assembly.

Mamata will be taking oath as the state chief minister for the third consecutive term on Wednesday.

JP Nadda's reaction:

BJP president J P Nadda on Tuesday said the widespread post-poll violence in West Bengal is reminiscent of the atrocities people had to face during the country's Partition and exhorted party workers in the state

to democratically fight the "savagery".

Nadda, who arrived on a two-day visit to Bengal, said BJP workers across India have expressed solidarity with their activists in the state, who are "facing violent attacks".

"We are committed to democratically fight this ideological battle and the activities of the TMC, which is full of intolerance," he told reporters at the NSC Bose International Airport here.

"I had heard of the immense atrocities committed during the Partition, but I have never seen such post-poll violence that is occurring in West Bengal after the declaration of election results (on May 2)," the senior BJP leader said.

Read:|Mamata Banerjee: From Bengal's daughter to nation's Didi

Nadda said he will visit the residences of BJP workers "killed" in attacks in the South 24 Parganas district and speak to their kin.

"We want to give this message that crores of BJP workers across the country are with them," he said.

The BJP has claimed at least six of its workers and supporters, including a woman, were killed in violence allegedly unleashed by the Trinamool Congress following its victory in the assembly elections.

Asaduddin Owaisi's reaction:

Giving his reaction to the West Bengal violence, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that the right to life is a fundamental right. It should be the first duty of any govt to protect people's lives. If they do not, they are failing in their fundamental duty. We condemn the failure of any government, in any part of India, to protect lives.

Dilip Ghosh's reaction:

The BJP's West Bengal president Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday said that the party is with the workers who, he claimed, are facing atrocities at the hands of goons owing allegiance to the Trinamool Congress after the announcement of assembly election results two days ago.

The state is in the grip of post-poll violence that allegedly left several BJP workers dead and injured, prompting the Centre to seek a report from the state government on the incidents of attack on opposition workers.

"I have not done the politics of running away in adverse situations. We have fought a daunting battle," Ghosh told reporters.

Ghosh said that the BJP has won record seats in the West Bengal election, bagging 77 constituencies.

The TMC, on the other hand, emerged victorious in 213 seats and will form the government for the third time in a row.

Claiming that attacks are taking place at places where the TMC won with a huge majority, Ghosh said that the BJP leadership is with the workers who have fought the election risking their lives.

Read:|Crude bombs recovered in WB's North 24 Parganas

"We are fighting and will continue to do so in future. Today or tomorrow, Bengal will witness change at the hands of the BJP," the party's state president said.

BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha said that it is time for the party to stand by the workers who are facing attacks.

"We can analyse the results later. Our foremost duty is to stand by the workers," said Sinha.

The BJP has claimed that six of its activists were killed at various places, a party office in Hooghly district was set on fire and shops of its supporters were torched in many areas.

Congress' reaction:

After the BJP and the CPI-M, Congress also condemned the post-poll violence in West Bengal by TMC cadres, saying such incidents were unacceptable and people of the state have not voted for lawlessness.

Congress' West Bengal in-charge Jitin Prasada alleged on Tuesday that his party cadres were attacked by Trinamool Congress workers and even women and children were not spared.

Source: Twitter

"The post-poll violence that has been unleashed by the TMC on the Congress workers is unacceptable. Even women and children are not spared. I'm sure the people of West Bengal did not vote for this lawlessness," Prasad said on Twitter.

He said the duty of every politician or public servant is to speak up against "all wrongs and stand by their cadre irrespective of which ideology one belongs to".

Asked about the post-poll violence taking place in West Bengal after the Trinamool Congress' victory in the state, Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said his party never condones such violence.

"Congress has never supported any kind of violence. The Congress party never condones or supports any kind of violence. There is no place for violence in a democracy," he said.

Read:|BJP worker killed in Sitalkuchi in West Bengal

"We expect that if Mamata Banerjee has received so much love and votes in Bengal, she should control the violence," he said.

Source: Twitter

The Congress leader said, "Even if those who have died are BJP workers, our condolences are with their families".

The BJP has charged that the state is burning due to state-sponsored violence and several of its workers have been assaulted and murdered.

The Left has also claimed that its workers have been targeted.

Source: Twitter

"Are these reports of gruesome violence in Bengal TMC's victory celebrations? Condemnable.

"Will be resisted & rebuffed. Instead of focusing on combating the pandemic, TMC unleashes such mayhem," CPI(M) leader had Sitaram Yechury tweeted.

(With inputs from agencies)