BJP accuses of Mamata of forcing tribal couple to join TMC

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of putting pressure on tribal couple Gita Mahali and Raju Mahali to join the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The Mahali's rose to fame after BJP president Amit Shah dined at their house.

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that TMC workers kidnapped the tribal couple and forced them to join their party.

"Yesterday, TMC workers kidnapped the tribal couple. Our BJP unit tried to register a case in Siliguri, but it was not registered, and today, we were informed that they have declared themselves to be supporters of the TMC," Prasad said.

Prasad informed that a delegation of the BJP unit would be visiting West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi and apprise him of the incident.

The Union Minister further said that the TMC is bewildered by the rising popularity of the BJP in West Bengal and is attacking members of the BJP to take "revenge" for the Naradha and Sharadha scam investigations initiated by the Centre.

"BJP is a large party. Our ministers Babul Supriyo and Rupa Ganguly were attacked. If the anxiety is due to Shardha and Narada scams, then this probe will not stop, because investigations and done on the basis of evidence," he said.

"It is indeed an tragedy of our times that Bengal for long years, was a victim of the overpowering fear and reckless violence of the Left, and now, it is a victim of reckless violence and overpowering fear of the TMC," he added.