Shah accuses TMC of vandalising Vidyasagar's statue

Shah accuses TMC of vandalising Vidyasagar's statue

Kolkata: A view of the damaged statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar which was vandalised at Vidyasagar College in the clashes that broke out during BJP President Amit Shah

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) BJP President Amit Shah on Wednesday accused Trinamool Congress "goons" of vandalising the statue of social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar during his roadshow in Kolkata the previous day.

Addressing the media at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters, Shah said: "Six phases of the elections have been completed throughout the country but incidents of violence are happening only in West Bengal.

"(Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee is alleging that the BJP is spreading violence in the state. She is contesting on only 42 seat but the BJP is contesting across the country. No incident of violence have been reported from anywhere except Bengal. This means Trinamool is responsible for the violence."

He said three attacks took place during his roadshow but the state police remained mere spectators.

He also accused Banerjee of conspiring to vandalise Vidyasagar's statue in an effort gain sympathy.

"The gate of the college was closed and the BJP workers were outside. Trinamool goons were pelting stones from inside. This was a conspiracy and drama by Mamata Banerjee to gain sympathy. Vandalising a statue for vote bank makes it clear that the Trinamool Congress is losing badly in this election.

"All these proves that Trinamool Congress goons vandalised the statue," he said.

Shah also claimed that he survived on Tuesday because of the CRPF's presence in Kolkata.

"It would have been difficult for me to come out unharmed if the CRPF was not there," he said showing photographs.

--IANS

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