BJP to move SC over not getting nod for mega rallies in Bengal
KOLKATA: The Bengal unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to move Supreme Court after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February 8 public meeting in north Bengal, alleging that the Mamata Banerjee government denied permission to few mega rallies despite the apex court’s order.
“We will move Supreme Court after PM Modi’s February 8 rally. The government is not only being undemocratic but also violating the apex court’s order,” said BJP’S state unit general secretary Sayantan Basu.
“Though rallies can’t be held between February 9 and March 13 due to a ban on use of microphones for class 10 and 12 board exams, we want to keep the road clear for the election rallies that will take place after the microphone usage ban in lifted,” Basu said.
The state g o v e r n ment recently denied permission for the landing of helicopters of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath in the districts of Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur (Feb 3), Bankura and Purulia (Feb 5), former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan’s meeting in Berhampore (Feb 6) and BJP leader Shah Nawaz Hussain in Murshidabad (Feb 5).
On January 15, the threejudge Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi ruled while turning down BJP’S plea for rath yatra in Ben- gal: “We, therefore, propose not to entertain this special leave petition (for allowing the rath yatras) any further and, instead, we are of the view that the same should be ordered to be closed by directing the state government to permit all public meetings, rallies etc. proposed to be held by t he petiti oner at dif f erent venues, provided adequate and timely information and schedules of such meetings, rallies etc. are furnished by the petitioner.”
While responding to the BJP’S allegation that the administration is denying permission, Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday: “How many meetings have the BJP leaders held (in Bengal)? Modi and Amit Shah held meetings. But the leaders are alleging denial of permission. What is this? They are applying four hours before the meeting. The administration needs some time to take a decision.”
Taking a dig at Amit Shah without naming him, the Bengal chief minister said, “You have held a meeting even with swine flu, and we made all arrangements.”
“You did not allow me to stay at a guest house when I went to hold meetings in Maharashtra and Bihar. I have not forgotten it,” said Mamata Banerjee.
BJP leaders, however, pointed out that they submitted application for permission well in advance and will submit these to the court to prove their point.
HT has in its possession documents that show the BJP applied for permission to land helicopter for the Balurghat rally of Adityanath two days in advance.
The application for use of microphones for Shahnzwaz Hussain’s rally in Murshidabad on February 5 was submitted on January 2 8 , or s i x days i n advance.
No Trinamool Congress leader agreed to comment, saying that the chief minister herself is dealing with the issue.