“Stay in five-star, instigate riots, and go…” Mamata Banerjee attacks BJP

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre of instigating rioting in the state on Monday. On Monday, Mamata Banerjee paid a visit to Purba Medinipur, where she delivered public welfare services to the people.

Addressing the gathering here, Banerjee said, “Here the Central Forces came, stayed in a five-star hotel, instigated riots. They then held a meeting with BJP people and returned. Before their arrival, first of all, ask should them where is the money for 100 days of employment (MGNREGA). First tell that, then come to Bengal to incite riots.”

Banerjee encouraged people not to vote for the BJP in the forthcoming Panchayat elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“I will do everything for you (people), but you are requested not to support BJP, the party that create riots, in Panchayat elections and 2024 elections,” she added.

Incidentally, commotion and stone pelting erupted on Sunday during the BJP’s Shobha yatra in Hooghly. Earlier in the day, numerous vehicles were set on fire in Howrah when two groups clashed during Ram Navami celebrations. Rioters destroyed public and private property and set fire to vehicles during the parade.

Meanwhile, charges and counter-allegations about the matter continued to fly between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the main opposition party, the BJP. Soon after news of the violence surfaced, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose about the situation. The union home secretary has requested a thorough report on the violence from the state. The West Bengal BJP has urged that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) look into the incident.