Kolkata, 19 September (H.S.) : Union Minister of State for Education and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sukanta Majumdar launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool faction on Saturday while attending a Rozgar Mela organized at the National Library in Kolkata.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event regarding the withdrawal of Trinamool candidates ahead of the upcoming Assembly by-elections and the prevailing political atmosphere in the state, Majumdar made several sharp remarks, claiming that if the BJP had wanted, it could have demolished or set ablaze every Trinamool party office, but the party does not subscribe to such political culture.

The Rozgar Mela, organized by the Central government at the National Library, saw the distribution of over 51,000 appointment letters across the country, with numerous successful candidates in Kolkata receiving their job letters during the event.

Taking a direct swipe at the ruling establishment following the nomination withdrawals in both Nandigram and Rejinagar, Majumdar asserted that the Mamata Banerjee-led party had crossed its expiry date. Addressing allegations of administrative intimidation raised by Rejinagar candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, Majumdar countered that when the Trinamool Congress held absolute power, he and his party workers faced relentless threats and intimidation while he served as the BJP state president. He noted that the BJP could have demolished all Trinamool party offices, just as Trinamool cadres had done to the opposition, specifically citing the torching of the BJP party office in Bhowanipore, the Chief Minister's own home turf, following the 2021 Assembly elections.

Commenting on the Election Commission's decision to freeze Trinamool's traditional election symbol, Majumdar maintained that the commission acted appropriately given that two rival factions had laid claim to the same identity. He remarked that the iconic twin-flower symbol could not simply be torn into two to satisfy both claimants, justifying the decision to freeze it. Expressing unwavering confidence, he claimed that the BJP is poised to secure decisive victories in both seats.

The by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar are scheduled to take place on October 6, with Saturday marking the final day for withdrawing nominations. The political landscape was jolted on Friday when Nandigram Trinamool candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew her nomination shortly after meeting the Chief Minister, prompting Mamata Banerjee to declare outside support for the Congress candidate under the banner of the national INDIA bloc. Addressing the subsequent arrest of Congress nominee Milan Pradhan, Majumdar stated that Pradhan was apprehended because multiple pending cases were lodged against him, adding that the judiciary will review the matter and grant bail if the allegations lack gravity.

Taking aim at Rahul Gandhi, Majumdar questioned why the Congress leadership remained silent for years while Trinamool cadres assaulted Congress workers and lobbed bombs at them, only to raise their voices now after spending years listening complacently to Mamata Banerjee.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh