Mamata hits back, says PM silent on charges against Governor Bose

Claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “peddling lies” about Sandeshkhali, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday questioned why he was maintaining a stoic silence on the allegations of molestation against Governor C.V. Ananda Bose and not asking him to resign.

A woman employee of Raj Bhavan has lodged a police complaint against the Governor accusing him of sexual harassment.

Addressing an election rally in North 24 Parganas Amdanga, which is part of the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency, she said the Prime Minister should be ashamed that the “BJP’s conspiracy” about Sandeshkhali has become public. Ms. Banerjee was apparently referring to a purported video in which a local BJP leader was heard saying that over 70 women had received ₹2,000 each for taking part in protests against TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, who is accused of sexual assault and land grab.

The Chief Minister said the Centre’s inaction against the Governor showed the BJP’s “true antiwoman character”.

‘NCW chief involved’

The Trinamool Congress lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma, accusing her of being “one of the major conspirators” of the alleged incidents in Sandeshkhali.

(With inputs from PTI)