BJP President Amit Shah on Wednesday, 15 May, alleged Trinamool Congress workers vandalised the statue of Bengali writer and philosopher Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar to gain sympathy and create unrest during his Kolkata rally on Tuesday.
The BJP and the TMC fought pitched battles on the streets of Kolkata during a massive road show by Shah on Tuesday, leading to the destruction of Vidyasagar’s statue in a college.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is slated to hold a rally in Kolkata on Wednesday, to protest against the violence and the destruction of the statue. The Election Commission has also agreed to hold a meeting with Bengal observers on Wednesday, after the TMC sought one over the statue's destruction.
Even the BJP has called for a national protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on Wednesday.
Snapshot
-
Violence marred Kolkata after stones were pelted at the convoy of Amit Shah from inside the hostel of Vidyasagar College
-
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also visited the spot where clashes took place and denied the involvement of TMC cadres.
-
Shah, in response, urged the people of Bengal to respond to the violence with votes
-
Many BJP leaders and ministers, including Arun Jaitley, Manohar Lal Khattar and Devendra Fadnavis condemned the violence.
Union Ministers, BJP Workers Hold Protest in Delhi
BJP holds protest against violence in BJP President Amit Shah's roadshow in Kolkata on Tuesday. Union Ministers Harsh Vardhan, Jitendra Singh and Vijay Goel are present.
11:53 AM, 15 May
Mamata, TMC Leaders Make Vidyasagar Their Display Pictures on Social Media
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and several top TMC leaders have changed their Facebook and Twitter display picture (DP) with photo of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar on Wednesday to protest the desecration of the bust of the noted reformer and key figure of the Bengal Renaissance.
Trinamool Congress's official profile on Twitter and Facebook was also changed with a picture of Vidyasagar.
11:27 AM, 15 May
‘TMC Vandalised Vidyasagar’s Statue to Gain Sympathy’: Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah on Wednesday, 15 May alleged that TMC workers vandalised statue of Bengali writer and philosopher Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar to gain sympathy and create unrest in his rally.
10:26 AM, 15 May
Protests by BJP, TMC & Left
The BJP supporters will hold protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, while the TMC supporters led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be protesting in Kolkata on Wednesday, 15 May.
Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on BJP President Amit Shah asking if he were a god that no one can protest against him.
Meanwhile, a BJP delegation led by Mukul Roy will meet the governor at 11:30 am on Wednesday.
10:20 AM, 15 May
'I Am Not an Outsider; Have Come Here to Campaign for BJP': Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah has rebutted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's charge that he is an "outsider" in West Bengal and said he has come to the state to campaign for his party.
Shah wondered if he is called an outsider for coming to West Bengal, "which is very much a part of India", then why not Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee be labelled as an "outsider" when she visits New Delhi?
The BJP leader was addressing a meet of intellectuals in the city on Tuesday, 14 May.
"I am president of a national party and I am here to campaign for my party.
"I am being called an outsider for coming to West Bengal. What kind of statement is this? If a person from West Bengal goes to Mumbai or Bengaluru, will he be called an outsider? When Mamata didi goes to Delhi will she be called an outsider?" Shah asked.
Shah's remarks came following Banerjee's repeated allegations about Shah being an "outsider" who comes to the state to "create division" among the people.