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Injury could ‘help Mamata’ — BJP asks Bengal leaders not to talk about Nandigram incident

BJP leaders feel Nandigram could become focus of the Bengal campaign if the issue was raised too much publicly, and help Mamata 'in gaining public sympathy'.

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New Delhi: The central leadership of the BJP has directed its West Bengal leaders not to discuss the alleged attack last week on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Nandigram “too much” publicly as it could help her gain “unnecessary” sympathy, ThePrint has learnt.

According to sources, the direction came during a meeting of the BJP’s West Bengal Core Committee at party chief J.P. Nadda’s residence in New Delhi Saturday.

“The senior leaders pointed out that Mamata’s contradicting statements have already exposed her in front of the public and hence there is no need to talk about the issue too much. Rather, we should be concentrating on our own governance model and the shortcomings of the West Bengal government,” said a senior BJP leader, who was present at the meeting.

According to a source, Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also present at the meeting and said Nandigram would become the focus of the campaign if the issue was raised too much in the public domain, and Mamata would use it to shift the focus from her government’s shortcomings.

“We have said what we had to as a party. Authorities have clearly pointed out it was an accident and the public is aware of it now too. Talking too much about the alleged attack may help her in gaining public sympathy,” added the leader.

“Let Mamata talk about the incident, and as there are already so many contradictions and u-turns in her statements and the initial reports she already stands exposed. Our campaign should focus on highlighting the failure of the government and how we can make Bengal ‘Sonar (golden)’ again,” added the leader.


Also read: Mamata returns on wheelchair, BJP turns up heat by fielding ex-Singur aide, Union minister, MPs


‘Detailed account’ of Nandigram incident given to central leaders

Assembly elections in West Bengal will be held in eight phases. The stakes are high for Mamata Banerjee, who is fighting a fierce battle to retain her chair.

Another leader who was present at the meeting said they gave a “detailed account” of the Nandigram incident to the central leaders.

Days after Trinamool Congress alleged that the Nandigram incident in which Mamata was injured was a “planned attack”, a team of special observers told the Election Commission of India (ECI) that the injury she sustained during campaigning was “accidental” in nature.

The EC Sunday concurred with the observers’ report indicating that her injuries were the result of a security lapse, and ordered suspension of Director, Security, Vivek Sahay, an IPS officer, who “failed to prevent the incident and protect the Z+ protectee”. It also also ordered that Pravin Prakash, Superintendent of Police of Purba Medinipur, be placed under suspension immediately and charges framed against him for major failure of “bandobast”.

The ECI had earlier sought a report on the incident from West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapon Bandopadhyay. His report said Banerjee sustained the injury as a result of her car door slamming on her leg. However, the sources said, the report was “vague” and did not describe how it happened.

The preliminary police findings submitted to the ECI last week also said the incident in Nandigram was an accident, and not an attack.

(Edited by Sanghamitra Mazumdar)


Also read: Maradona, Messi, Mamata… how football & politics collide in poll-bound Bengal


 

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1 COMMENT

  1. It’s sad that some “SECULAR JOURNALISTS “are claiming that injury might help BEGUM in elections.
    This might encourage her SUPPORTERS who are known for violence.

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