Bengal BJP chief warns of ‘repeat’ of election killings
■ Defies appeals for peace by Shah, gov ■ TMC demands EC action
A day after four people were shot dead by the Central paramilitary forces during a violent mob attack on a polling booth at Shitalkuchi in Cooch Behar during the fourth phase of the Assembly election in West Bengal, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh called them dushtu chhele (bad boys).
Blatantly defying appeals by Union home minister Amit Shah and West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar to everyone to maintain peace in the remaining phases, the Midnapore BJP MP also threatened the public of a “repetition” of Shitalkuchi-style killings in the event of an “excess”.
On Sunday he told a party rally at Baranagar in north Kolkata: “Where did so many dushtu chhele come from? Those who were hit by the bullets at
Shitalkuchi on Saturday were dushtu chhele. They will not exist in Bengal anymore. It has just begun. Those who think the Central forces carry guns only for show have felt the heat of the bullets.”
Mr Ghosh said: “This will be repeated across Bengal. If someone takes the law in their hands, he
will get a befitting reply. On April 17, cast your votes standing in a queue early in the morning. The Central forces will be posted at the booths. No one will be able to show red eyes. Otherwise, we will be there. If anyone crosses the limit, you have seen what happened in
Shitalkuchi. Shitalkuchi will be repeated in places. So be careful.”
His warning came on the day Mr Shah said at Shantipur in Nadia: “I appeal to the people to maintain peace and cast their votes for their favourite candidates in the remaining phases of the polls. I also urge leaders of all political parties for a peaceful conduct of the polls according to the EC guidelines.”
Mr Dhankhar tweeted: “All must unitedly condemn and abjure violence that has no place in democracy. Pained and anguished at violence in Cooch Behar leading to the loss of lives. People in authority must show statesmanship & ensure respect for constitutional institutions & CAPF engaged in public duty.”
Lashing out at Mr Ghosh, Trinamul Congress spokesman Kunal Ghosh said: “The way he talks shows that he has no mental balance. According to him, he often talks to come in the headlines. But this time it amounts to playing with fire. The BJP, irrespective of its perception, creation or mind games, now feels that votes (were) cast against them in the later phases. Shitalkuchi is a dark chapter. When someone talks of a repetition of that, will the Election Commission turn a blind eye to it? Or is it only meant for acting against chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her party in the polls?”