Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Monday lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claiming that she had intentionally called for a dharna against the Centre on the day of Ram Navami on March 30. Taking the fight against the Trinamool Congress to New Delhi, Mr. Adhikari held a press conference in the national capital along with BJP MPs Saumitra Khan and Locket Chatterjee.
Ms. Banerjee had called for a two-day dharna in Kolkata to protest against the deliberate deprivation of West Bengal at the hands of the Centre, particularly the denial of funds for MGNREGS.
“The Chief Minister of West Bengal announced a two-day dharna against the Centre. This dharna is scheduled particularly on March 29 and March 30. You all are aware that the festival of Ram Navami will be observed on March 30. Not only people of the country but those who believe in ‘sanatan’ culture observe Ram Navami. The Chief Minister of Bengal has not even announced a holiday on that day and will observe a dharna ,” Mr. Adhikari said at a press conference in Delhi.
Ever since Ms. Banerjee announced her decision to sit on a dharna, BJP has been raising that the Trinamool’s event coincides with Ram Navami. On Monday, Mr. Adhikari and other BJP leaders held a press conference in the national capital to evoke the issue of Ram Navami. Though celebration of Ram Navami is alien to the culture of the State, the State BJP leadership has been using the occasion as a show of strength over the past few years. The celebrations and processions of Ram Navami have even resulted in communal flare ups in different parts of the State. A section of Trinamool Congress leaders in the State have also organised Ram Navami celebrations to counter the BJP.
In another development, the LoP alleged that the BJP leaders were not invited at the civic reception organised by the West Bengal government in honour of President Droupadi Murmu.
“Those who queued up to vote against her would take the centre stage & hog the limelight at the felicitation event ! Those who queued up to vote in her favour are snubbed by the WB Govt & aren’t invited !Compare the stance of @BJP4Bengal MLAs & the distasteful rant of TMC MLAs,” Mr. Adhikari said in a tweet.
The Trinamool Congress refuted the allegations and accused Mr. Adhikari of peddling lies. “Why did @SuvenduWB visit @AmitShah& @JPNadda today? Ans: To discuss the LIES he will be peddling in today’s Press Conference. @BJP4Bengal leaders claim that they were not invited to the Civic Reception organized in the honour of the Hon’ble President of India. Reality,” Trinamool Congress said in tweet from its official handle.
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