Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, who spoke at the meeting, said people would give a befitting reply to the ruling TMC for its “reign of terror” in the state in the last 10 years.

Adhikari said that during all of his recent rallies in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken against atrocities committed against women in Sandeshkhali. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi protested against the atrocities on the mothers and sisters of Sandeshkhali while speaking at public meetings in Krishnanagar, Arambagh, Barasat and Siliguri. However, it has been more than two months since the protests erupted here, but Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has not found it necessary to come here and meet the victims,” he said.

The Opposition party held the public meeting at Nazat in Sandeshkhali I block with permission from the Calcutta High Court. It was held on a day when Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee addressed a mega rally at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata.

Adhikari said the police had arrested on false charges local BJP leaders and women who protested against atrocities committed by TMC leaders.

“’Does the CPI(M) have any right to talk about his (former Trinamool strongman Shahjahan Sheikh’s) atrocities now? It is the BJP which took the battle from Sandeshkhali to Delhi. It our leaders who have fought day and night to raise the issue and suffering of the women,” he said.

Majumdar said that BJP leaders were finally able to visit Sandeshkhali because of the high court’s order. “The people will ensure that the TMC is defeated in the coming Lok Sabha polls. The Centre is providing free ration to the people across the country through the public distribution system. But the TMC leadership takes credit for it. We will not let anyone indulge in corruption over the ration distribution process,” the BJP state chief said.