New Delhi: West Bengal BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her appearance in the Supreme Court, accusing her government of undermining constitutional institutions and promoting illegal infiltration in the state.
Addressing a press conference in BJPs Headquarters in New Delhi, Bhattacharya said Banerjee had claimed in August 2005 that the entire voter list of West Bengal was filled with Bangladeshi nationals, but today she has come to Delhi opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
He alleged that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in West Bengal are being threatened to upload fake documents and said the Trinamool Congress (TMC) wants Rohingyas and illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators to remain on the voter list.
“She is the head of the government and has taken oath under the Indian Constitution, yet she is abusing the Election Commission,” Bhattacharya said.
Questioning Banerjee’s priorities, he said the Chief Minister did not visit the site of a major fire incident in Kolkata’s Anandapur area, located just 10 km away, but travelled nearly 1,500 km to Delhi.
Bhattacharya claimed the protests against SIR indicate that the TMC is losing public support.
“Her days are numbered. The people of West Bengal have decided they will not allow this government to continue,” he said, adding that Banerjee has realised that “the time for her political exit has come.”
He further alleged a complete breakdown of constitutional machinery in the state, claiming that more than 300 BJP workers have been killed since 2016.
“Elections are no longer a choice for TMC, but a compulsion. They do not believe in democracy,” Bhattacharya said.
Reiterating the BJP’s stand, he said the party will not allow Bangladeshi nationals to be included in the voter list and alleged that West Bengal is being turned into a hub for Rohingyas and illegal infiltrators.
He also accused the TMC government of encouraging “land jihad” against tribal communities.
