According to the Leader of Opposition in the state, Suvendu Adhikari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal to meet with the women from Sandeshkhali who have accused TMC leaders of sexual violence. Adhikari mentioned in an exclusive interview with India Today TV that arrangements are being made for PM Modi’s visit. The specific dates for his visit will be confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office, Adhikari added.
After being granted permission by the Calcutta High Court, Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to visit Sandeshkhali on Tuesday. He stated that he plans to go there accompanied by four to five MLAs. Adhikari sought court intervention after being prevented by the police from visiting the village twice last week.
The BJP’s state unit criticized the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the Sandeshkhali situation on Monday, alleging that “goons” were targeting Hindu women and committing sexual assaults. Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, BJP MP Locket Chatterjee claimed that homes of women who spoke out about being sexually assaulted by local TMC leaders were being looted after they appeared in news interviews.
Chatterjee’s remarks came a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed the unrest in Sandeshkhali, suggesting that an “incident was orchestrated.” She attributed the situation to the BJP, accusing them of scripting it in collaboration with the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The turmoil in the village erupted over a month ago when an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team en route to conduct a raid on TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan was assaulted. Subsequently, Shahjahan went into hiding as the investigative agency conducted raids on his residence in Sandeshkhali, related to an alleged public distribution scam.
Two TMC leaders, Shibaprasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar, who are closely associated with Sheikh Shahjahan, have been arrested following complaints filed by women from the village. They are facing charges of gang rape.
