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.
"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.
