Amit Shah Denied Permission to Hold Rally in Bengal, BJP Protests

File photo of BJP President Amit Shah.

(Photo: PTI)

Accusing the West Bengal government of not allowing its President Amit Shah’s rally in Jadhavpur, the BJP said on Monday, 13 May, the Election Commission has become a “mute spectator” to the Trinamool Congress’ alleged undemocratic means to target the saffron party.

BJP media head and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said his party will hold protests and also move the EC.

Shah's rally was scheduled for Monday in Jadhavpur, which goes to the polls on 19 May in the last phase, but the permission for it was denied at the last minute by the state administration, he said, as per PTI..

Subsequently, the permission for Shah's chopper to land was also withdrawn, Baluni said.

"It is unfortunate that the EC has become a mute spectator to all this and also use of violence by the TMC in the state," he said.

He alleged the ruling party in Bengal was using undemocratic means to target the BJP.

"I was to visit three places today, but Mamataji's nephew is contesting from one of the seats so she is scared her nephew will lose, and that's why she cancelled the permission for our rally,” Shah added, as per ANI.

“Mamata Didi, I am chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and leaving for Kolkata, arrest me if you have guts,” he added.

Nine seats will go to polls in the last phase of the general election.

‘Democracy Has Become a Casualty in Bengal’

Union Minister Arun Jaitley took to Twitter to slam the Mamata Banerjee-led government in Bengal, saying “this is what India’s Opposition has to offer to the nation.”

Meanwhile, Prakash Javadekar said that the Bengal CM had turned into a dictator.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI)