The friction between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress on the issue of the ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) update exercise in Assam and larger Oppositional politics, is in for an escalation with BJP chief Amit Shah set to visit West Bengal on August 11.
While there was confusion over whether the local police had allowed Mr. Shah’s rally on that day, the Kolkata police confirmed that permission had been granted. “Some unwarranted speculation on social media about denial of permission to a political party on August 11 has come to our notice. It is to clarify that on request, permission for meeting has already been granted,” the Kolkata police said in a tweet. Sources said Mr. Shah had been determined to visit Kolkata, whether his rally received the go-ahead or not.
NRC row hots up
The politics around the NRC has heated up, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee weighing in for those who were left out of the final NRC list, and attributing sinister designs to the government on the exclusions, while the State BJP demanded that an NRC-like exercise be carried out in West Bengal as well.
BJP general secretary in charge of West Bengal Kailash Vijaywargiya said in a tweet: “Youth of West Bengal want illegal Bangladeshi immigrants who are in the State to be identified. Because of illegal immigration they are facing many difficulties like unemployment and challenges to law and order. The BJP supports this demand.”
The Trinamool Congress, however, said the BJP’s State unit had spread wrong information about the Kolkata police withholding permission for Mr. Shah’s rally as it was “nervous and tense” about pulling it off.
“Happy journey to the land of peace and harmony #Bangla Love Your Neighbour,” Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien said in a tweet.