BJP MLA and Leader of the Opposition in Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Friday alleged that the police were denying permission for Ram Puja organisers in various parts of the state on what he deemed “flimsy grounds”. “Why is conducting Shree Ram Puja such a hassle in this state only? In no other state have devotees faced such a situation. Why are the police denying permission to the organisers on flimsy grounds? They are being harassed as if they are committing a crime by organising Ram Puja,” Adhikari said.

Responding to Adhikari’s charge, the TMC accused the BJP of spreading canards and attempting to vitiate the state’s atmosphere. Senior TMC leader Shashi Panja said, “I want to ask him how low can he stoop. We strongly condemn the BJP’s continuous efforts to spark communal unrest through fake and misleading updates. We also urge state authorities to take action against such people who attempt to stoke communal tensions.”

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “First, by using an old circular from the state electricity board of last year, BJP leaders are spreading canards that the state government has ordered power cuts in areas where Ram Pujas will be held. Now, he is making false allegations that permission has not been granted to hold the programmes. This is a crime.”