In a fiery retort to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent comments on the alleged atrocities against women in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered a scathing rebuke during a rally in Jalpaiguri.
Accusing the BJP of politicising the issue, Banerjee vehemently defended her Trinamool Congress (TMC) government's actions in addressing the reported cases of sexual abuse.
"Whenever there have been any allegations of corruption, we have taken action and removed that person from the party. But what about the BJP? They have inducted all corrupt and criminals into their party," she said.
Dismissing accusations of wrongdoing as politically motivated, she questioned the BJP's integrity, accusing them of harboring corrupt individuals within their own ranks.
Addressing the recent incidents in Sandeshkhali, Banerjee countered Modi's criticism, highlighting her prompt action in addressing complaints of sexual abuse.
She contrasted her proactive approach with what she perceived as BJP's indifference, citing instances where BJP members were allegedly involved in misconduct.
"There have been some incidents in Sandeshkhali, when I came to know about those complaints, I immediately took action against them. I am not like them (BJP), as they were mute spectators when women wrestlers were harassed by the BJP MP or during the Hathras incident," she said.
Drawing attention to the appointment of Nisith Pramanik, a BJP candidate facing multiple legal challenges, as Minister of State for Home Affairs, Banerjee expressed her dismay, labeling it a national embarrassment.
"It is a matter of national shame that a person against whom several cases are pending has been appointed as the Minister of State for Home Affairs," she said in an apparent reference to BJP candidate and Union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik who is seeking re-election from Cooch Behar.
She stressed the BJP's contradictory stance on law and order issues, pointing to their silence on incidents of harassment and violence perpetrated by their own members.
Banerjee further lamented the obstructionist tactics employed by the BJP, citing an example where her administration's efforts to provide compensation to storm-affected residents of Jalpaiguri were thwarted by BJP's intervention with the Election Commission.
"The state administration was supposed to give compensation to the affected people. But the BJP doesn't want that to happen. The BJP themselves don't do anything and neither allows others to do anything," she said.
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