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Rabi Banerjee
Rabi Banerjee

WEST BENGAL

Amit Shah does a U-turn, blames Mamata govt for political violence

PTI9_12_2017_000074A BJP President Amit Shah interacts with the party workers and their families who have been affected by the alleged political violence in West Bengal | PTI

Situation in Bengal warrants attention from human rights activists: Amit Shah

A day after criticising BJP workers in the state for not fighting back against the Trinamool Congress's atrocities in West Bengal, party chief Amit Shah today changed the discourse and blamed the Mamata Banerjee-government for launching rampant attacks against his party workers.

Shah was “shocked” to meet more than 100 victims of political violence and stated that the situation in Bengal was “full of horror and warranted attention of human rights activists around the world”. “I used to get reports about attacks on our workers here. But I did not have any idea that the situation is so grave. Hardly anywhere in the world will you see such attacks against political opponents,” Shah said today, in a complete change of stance. “Is this Tagore’s Bengal, is this Vivekananda’s Bengal?” he asked. 

Shah asked human rights activists from around the world to visit places like Kolkata, Basirhat and Birbhum where political workers faced huge attacks from the Trinamool Congress cadres. “It’s time for them to come out of their swanky houses in Delhi and visit Kolkata, Basirhat, Birbhum and other places in Bengal. They must report this, otherwise their job will be undone,” he said.

He added that Mamata should understand that she was not awarded people's mandate to carry out such activities. “People’s homes were burnt, they are mercilessly beaten up. Some of them lost their limbs. Even a six-year-old child was not spared. A bullet is still stuck in his stomach that even the doctor could not remove,” said Shah.

He further stated that Mamata came to power facing similar attacks from the communists. “But I am upset that she has forgotten all those days,” said Shah. He stated that all such attacks would enable the BJP to move ahead in West Bengal. “The more you attack us, the more we move. We will move ahead despite all odds and would come to power in West Bengal. No one can prevent us,” an angry Shah said.

Earlier, Shah did not have any plans to address the press during his trip to Bengal. However, later he claimed that he changed his mind after seeing the victims of political violence in Kolkata and decided to meet the media. 

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress said Shah was being misinformed by his own party members. “I think he has been misreported by his own party. In India, Bengal is the most peaceful place for political activities,” said party general secretary Partha Chatterjee.

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