Kolkata: Bengal BJP functionaries on Thursday claimed that due to “post-poll violence” unleashed by Trinamool, several of their party workers from Sandeshkhali and other parts of Basirhat have taken refuge in Kolkata.
Close to 50 workers have taken shelter at Maheshwari Seva Trust in Ratu Sarkar Lane opposite BJP’s state headquarters on Murlidhar Sen Lane off Central Avenue.“As soon as the results started going in TMC’s favour on Tuesday, we started receiving threats from TMC workers. They visited our home and threatened to harm us and break our house. We had no option but to flee our village,” said a woman BJP functionary, who was a close aide of Rekha Patra, BJP’s Basirhat candidate. Patra lost the elections by over 3.25 lakh votes.
Patra’s aide said she escaped with a fellow worker by crossing the river and taking refuge in a house. She was brought to Kolkata on Wednesday by party functionaries. “My husband and my son have also fled the village and are staying elsewhere. I am worried about them,” she said.
Several people from Basirhat’s Dakshin Bhebia village have also taken refuge at Maheshwari Seva Trust. On Thursday morning, several BJP seniors visited the families from Sandeshkhali.
“This is very unfortunate. People should not be targeted for their political affiliations. We appeal to the central leadership of the party to take measures to ensure safety of our workers who are being subjected to atrocities,” said Tapas Roy, BJP’s candidate from Kolkata North who also lost his election.