NEW DELHI: West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Tuesday firmly rejected speculation over the induction of former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders into the BJP, asserting that the party would not admit “tainted” individuals and that “trinamoolisation of BJP would never happen.”Emphasising that the BJP’s rise in West Bengal had been driven by grassroots workers rather than political defections, Bhattacharya said there was no question of accommodating those who had resigned from the ousted TMC. His remarks came in Kolkata as TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee prepared to lead a protest over alleged post-poll violence against her party’s leaders.Addressing the reporters, Bhattacharya said, “Our doors are closed for TMC. We reached the number 207 without importing anyone. The people voted against the leaders of TMC. Our political strategy this time started from the bottom. How can we include the people who are tainted in our party? Trinamoolisation of BJP will never happen.”Bhattacharya also launched a broader attack on the opposition party of the state, claiming that public support for TMC had eroded and that the party was now battling internal contradictions. His remarks came in Kolkata as TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee prepared to lead a protest over alleged post-poll violence against her party’s leaders.“The people of West Bengal would not let Mamata Banerjee protest. TMC is not in a position to face the people by protesting on the roads,” he said.He further alleged that Banerjee’s political moves were aimed at diverting attention from the party’s challenges within the state.“Everyone knows what happened when the former CM went to court. Now, TMC is against TMC. Mamata Banerjee is talking about Delhi to divert attention. She can come to Delhi, go to Antarctica or the desert. She can do anything, but the people of West Bengal have rejected TMC. The game is over,” Bhattacharya added.
Mamata’s protest against attack on TMC leaders
Mamata Banerjee is set to lead a protest march at Kolkata’s Rani Rashmoni Road over alleged attacks on TMC leaders following recent political unrest in parts of the state.The protest follows incidents involving TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and party MP Kalyan Banerjee during visits to affected areas in South 24 Parganas and Hooghly. Abhishek Banerjee alleged that he was attacked with bricks, stones and eggs, resulting in an eye injury, while Kalyan Banerjee claimed he survived an “attempt to murder” near Chanditala Police Station.On Monday, Banerjee condemned the alleged attacks on party MPs and described the incidents as evidence of what she called “absurd and authoritarian conduct”. She also warned that the TMC would take its agitation to the national capital if it was prevented from demonstrating in Kolkata.“Arrest me if you want. The TMC will hold its protest on June 2 even without police permission, microphones or a stage. If we are not allowed to protest in Kolkata, we will protest in Delhi,” she said in a video statement.Reacting to the planned demonstration, BJP leader Rahul Sinha questioned its purpose and suggested the controversy had been politically orchestrated, while noting that permissions for public protests fall within the jurisdiction of the police.Meanwhile, police have arrested five people in connection with the alleged attack on Abhishek Banerjee, and investigations are continuing.
