“BJP, police colluded to intimidate people from attending TMC rally”: Kalyan Banerjee
TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee claims BJP and police colluded to intimidate citizens from attending the party's Hooghly rally.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kalyan Banerjee has leveled serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the police, claiming they worked in tandem to prevent citizens from participating in a recent party rally in Hooghly. Speaking to the media following the event, Banerjee asserted that a coordinated effort was made to suppress public presence through fear and intimidation.
Allegations of Door-to-Door Intimidation
Banerjee claimed that the collusion between the BJP and law enforcement was aimed at perpetrating atrocities against the public. According to the TMC leader, authorities and party affiliates were actively visiting homes to threaten residents.
"They are going door-to-door, intimidating people by threatening them with arrest if they attend the meeting," Banerjee stated. Despite these alleged tactics, he noted that a significant crowd gathered for the rally, suggesting that the pressure failed to deter the supporters.
He further emphasized that the party had not even conducted a formal campaign or outreach prior to the event, yet the turnout was massive. He claimed the crowd had gathered specifically to demand the removal of Suvendu Adhikari from his current position.
War of Words with Suvendu Adhikari
The rally served as a platform for Banerjee to launch a scathing verbal attack on Suvendu Adhikari and his associates. He specifically targeted Ritabrata, a follower of Adhikari, mocking his status as the Leader of the Opposition.
- Banerjee labeled Ritabrata a "temporary Leader of the Opposition," drawing a comparison to temporary employment.
- He attributed this perceived instability to the actions of Suvendu Adhikari.
- In a direct challenge, Banerjee vowed to make Adhikari a "temporary Chief Minister."
Banerjee also accused the BJP of securing power through illicit means, calling Adhikari a "vote thief" and alleging that his position was bolstered by the support of Gyanesh Kumar.
A Challenge to the Police and Political Rivals
The TMC leader also addressed recent comments made by Suvendu Adhikari regarding Mamata Banerjee. He recounted a challenge where Adhikari had claimed he would prevent the former Chief Minister from leaving her residence. Banerjee claimed to have personally escorted her out to prove the opposition wrong, starting with Srirampur.
Turning his attention to the ongoing arrests of party workers, Banerjee issued a stern warning to the current administration and the police force. He expressed his intent to stop the perceived targeting of TMC members.
"You spend the entire day arresting Trinamool Congress workers; I will put an end to this. Listen to me, my name is Kalyan Banerjee. If I could send two IPS officers to jail in the past, I can send you there too. You have not seen my real side yet. The police during the CPI(M) regime saw what my real side was,"
Banerjee concluded by suggesting that his political history and past confrontations with the police during the CPI(M) era had prepared him for this current political struggle.