Raising the Sandeshkhali episode, which has taken a new turn after a woman alleged that BJP leaders forced her to lodge a false rape complaint against TMC leaders, Modi said: “All of us have seen what the TMC has done with the sisters and mothers of Sandeshkhali. First, the TMC tried to protect the accused with the help of police. The TMC has now started a new game. Their goons are terrorising and threatening the women there because the perpetrator’s name is Sheikh Shahjahan.”
“The TMC is trying to protect the culprit to appease its vote bank. But the people have understood their game,” alleged Modi at a rally in Barrackpore.
Soon after the PM’s speech, TMC supremo Mamata accused the PM of “peddling lies”.
Questioning why the PM was maintaining a “stoic silence” on the allegations of molestation against West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and not asking him to resign, Mamata at an election rally in North 24 Parganas’ Amdanga said Modi should be ashamed after the “BJP’s conspiracy” about Sandeshkhali has become public.
“The PM is going around peddling lies about Sandeshkhali. He should be ashamed as BJP’s conspiracy has now become public… He should be ashamed for playing with the dignity of the women of Sandeshkhali by paying them… I will not listen to any lectures from those who disrespect women… Women of Sandeshkhali did not even know what they had signed. They were made to file fake complaints,” the CM said, apparently referring to a purported video in which a local BJP leader was heard saying that the “staged” protests in Sandeshkhali were done at the behest of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
Mamata said the Centre’s inaction against Governor Bose in the molestation case showed the BJP’s “true anti-woman character”. “PM’s representative in Bengal is a laat saheb at Raj Bhavan, where women are now afraid to go. This is a constitutional crisis because if I need to speak with him (Governor), I have to do it elsewhere. I am in a dilemma. No woman is willing to visit Raj Bhavan after some shameful deeds came to light. Why did the PM not ask the Governor to resign during his overnight stay at Raj Bhavan?” she said.
Meanwhile, accusing the TMC of “indulging in appeasement politics” to protect its vote bank in Bengal, Modi alleged that the party led by Mamata has “turned Hindus into second-class citizens” in the state.
Campaigning for the BJP in the state, where he addressed four rallies, Modi alleged: “An MLA of TMC gave a statement yesterday (Saturday) that they will throw Hindus in Bhagirathi (river). Hindus have become second-class citizens in Bengal. TMC does not let anyone take Ram’s name. It doesn’t allow Ram Navami processions in Bengal.”
Meanwhile, Modi Sunday held about 2-km roadshow which drew an overwhelming response from the crowd. This was the first-ever roadshow by any PM since Independence in Patna, which saw women participating in large numbers. During the roadshow, he was joined by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, BJP Patna Sahib candidate Ravi Shankar Prasad and deputy CM Samrat Choudhary.