Trinamool to protest BJP’s attempt to dishonour Mamata’s picture

Kolkata, Oct 6 (IANS) Blaming the BJP for trying to "renew agitation in Darjeeling", West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress on Friday said the party would hold protest demonstration across the state against the BJP's attempt to dishonour Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's picture.

The BJP on Friday took out rallies in several districts and also in Kolkata, demanding immediate arrest of the people involved in the heckling of its West Bengal Party Chief Dilip Ghosh in Darjeeling on Thursday. Carrying effigies of Banerjee, BJP supporters shouted slogans seeking "restoration of democracy" in the state and staged sit-ins at various places here.

"They (BJP leaders) tried to renew the agitation by going to Darjeeling. They are interacting over phone with (Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal) Gurung against whom a look-out notice was issued. The only objective, they have, is to restrain Mamata Banerjee from continuing with development works in West Bengal and to attack Trinamool," said Trinamool Secretary General Partha Chatterjee.

He accused some BJP supporters of trying to create unrest in the state.

"They tampered and dishonoured the picture of state Chief Minister. They are making provocative comments. Trinamool Congress will hold protest demonstration across districts including Kolkata on Saturday between 1 p.m. to 2p.m. with effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.

Chatterjee also accused BJP's Darjeeling MP S.S. Ahluwalia of making provocative comments.

"Where was he during 104 days of shutdown? He could not be seen when common people were not able to procure food, school and colleges were closed, tea gardens remained shut," he alleged.

He claimed the state government under the leadership of Banerjee tackled the Darjeeling agitation and the normalcy was restored in the hills.