BJP accuses TMC leader and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for muffling political rights

A day after BJP workers clashed with the police in Kolkata and set a police vehicle on fire, the party slammed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for the "brutality, repression and muffling of political rights" of the Opposition. The party sought to know if she took 'such harsh measures' to divert attention from 'infighting' in Trinamool Congress.

Addressing the media in New Delhi on Wednesday, former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad sought to know why Banerjee 'blamed' the atrocities on political opponents after she too had 'faced police brutality' during the Left Front rule.

"The government of Mamata ji has surpassed all limits of brutality, repression and police torture while denying the legitimate right of the Opposition to raise its voice," Prasad alleged. "She talks about safeguarding democracy, while travelling outside West Bengal, but allows breaking of all democratic principles in her state," he alleged. Trinamool has left its ideology far behind and its leaders were 'steeped in corruption', he alleged.

Referring to the ED claim of seizing cash from former Trinamool minister Partha Chatterjee, Prasad said the party's slogan of 'Maa, Maati, Maanush' has been reduced to this state. He alleged 'Rs 60-70 crore cash was seized' from the home of the minister's associate and the party had not been able to clear the air on the issue.

"Our lady members, Leader of the Opposition, former state unit president, national vice president and other senior leaders were treated badly by the police," he said.