As Modi attacks TMC on Sandeshkhali, Mamata questions silence on Guv
Claiming that Modi was continuing to “peddle lies” about Sandeshkhali, Banerjee questioned why he had not asked the governor to resign yet
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to attack the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal over Sandeshkhali, TMC chief and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday (May 12) asked why he was silent on the allegations of molestation against Governor CV Ananda Bose.
Both Modi and Mamata were addressing election rallies in North 24-Parganas district on Sunday — Mamata in Amdanga and Modi in Barrackpore. Both are part of the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency.
PM peddling lies: Mamata
Claiming that Modi was continuing to “peddle lies” about Sandeshkhali, Banerjee questioned why he had not asked the governor to resign yet. She added that the PM should be ashamed that the “BJP’s conspiracy” about Sandeshkhali had “become public”.
“The PM is still peddling lies about Sandeshkhali. He should be ashamed as the BJP’s conspiracy has now become public,” Banerjee said, apparently referring to a video in which a local BJP leader can apparently be heard saying that over 70 women had received Rs 2,000 each for taking part in protests against TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh, who is accused of sexual assault and land grab.
In an earlier clip, a man resembling BJP’s Sandeshkhali mandal president Gangadhar Kayal was heard saying that the “staged” protests were done at the behest of Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari who was behind the “whole conspiracy”.
PM’s charge
The PM, during his campaigning in Barrackpore, alleged that TMC goons were threatening the tormented women of Sandeshkhali to protect the culprits.
“All of us have seen what the TMC has done with the sisters and mothers of Sandeshkhali. TMC goons are now threatening the women in Sandeshkhali, as the name of the main culprit is Shajahan Sheikh. TMC is doing everything to protect the culprits of Sandeshkhali,” he alleged.
Mamata’s query
Banerjee said the Centre’s inaction against the governor, who is accused of molestation by a Raj Bhavan staffer, showed the BJP’s “true anti-woman character”.
“Why did the PM not ask the governor to resign during his overnight stay at Raj Bhavan?” she remarked.
Modi arrived in Kolkata on Saturday and stayed the night at Raj Bhavan, before beginning his whirlwind campaign in the state on Sunday morning.
(With agency inputs)
