Bengal BJP has full backing of party's central leadership: Smriti Irani

Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani on Friday accused the West Bengal government of "completely failing" to maintain law and order situation in the state and said the state BJP has the full backing of the party's central leadership.

Irani said the reports of widespread pre-poll violence in Bengal over the filing of nomination for rural elections next month and the death of one of their activists "speaks volumes" about the ruling Trinamool Congress's inactivity upholding the democracy.

"The death of Ajit Murmu speaks volumes about the law and order situation in West Bengal. It proves how the Trinamool Congress government is failing in the state and democracy is being murdered. When a political candidate is not able file his or her nomination peacefully it is evident what the law and order situation is like," said Irani, who was in the city on the occasion of BJP's 38th Foundation Day.

"My visit to Bengal today and the remembering of those of our party-men, who sacrificed their life for the sake of our nation, democracy and party, shows that the entire strength of our party and its leaders are with the state BJP leadership and activists here," she said claiming 55 of their party activists in Bengal have been martyred since the establishment of Jan Sangh in 1951.

Referring to the comments of state BJP leader Mukul Roy and party's General Secretary Rahul Sinha, Irani said both of them expressed their anguish over continuous violence on their party activists ahead of the polls.

"The situation is such that it has led to the death of one of our activists. Also Shyamapada Mondal, a state secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party was attacked today. That itself is a reflection of the breakdown of law and order. In the guise of law and order failure, there is an attack on the democratic system."

Responding to Trinamool spokesperson Derek O'Brien's tweet regarding BJP chief Amit Shah attacking opposition parties coming together, by likening them to "snakes, mongooses, dogs and cats", Irani said "I do not expect a better language from Derek. Let Derek O'Brien answer why did they not ensure deliberation and debate in Rajya Sabha for all these 23 days when sessions were on."

O'Brien had lashed out at Shah on Twitter, describe his language as "sickening".

--IANS

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