Kolkata, 22 April (H.S.): BJP MP and former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal during a press conference held at the party’s state headquarters in Kolkata on Wednesday.

He criticised the state government over issues such as border security, illegal infiltration, appeasement politics, cultural concerns, and alleged lack of cooperation with the Central Government.

Deb said the border situation in West Bengal was a matter of serious concern. He alleged that fencing work along 447 kilometres of the border remained incomplete due to the negligence of the state government.

He claimed that despite repeated requests by the Union Home Minister and directions from the Supreme Court, the state government had failed to act seriously on the matter.

He also expressed concern over demographic changes in border areas, alleging that illegal infiltration was increasing and boosting the morale of anti-national elements.

Deb further claimed that some groups had become emboldened enough to issue threats regarding the strategically important “Chicken Neck” corridor.

The former Tripura Chief Minister accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of attempting to turn West Bengal into “Greater Bangladesh.”

He also expressed concern over the alleged rise of terror modules in the state and said West Bengal’s name had surfaced in cases involving extremist activities in different parts of the country.

Deb alleged that both the previous Left Front government and the current Trinamool Congress administration had pursued appeasement politics and encouraged infiltration.

He further claimed that the state government had consistently avoided cooperating with the Centre on important issues.

Raising cultural and religious concerns, Deb claimed that permissions were required in West Bengal for festivals such as Durga Puja and that Saraswati Puja events had also been obstructed.

He accused the Chief Minister of using rhetoric favourable to Pakistan and alleged that the national anthem had been discontinued in schools.

Referring to iconic Bengali figures, he said personalities such as Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had worked for the nation and society, but the present government was not following their legacy.

Mentioning the Women’s Reservation Bill, Deb said that despite being a woman Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee had opposed the legislation.

He also alleged that the Trinamool Congress opposed every institution and every bill introduced by the Central Government.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh