Dilip slams harmony rally in wake of Raniganj clashes

Kolkata: State BJP president Dilip Ghosh slammed intellectuals’ rally for harmony on Sunday in wake of the violent clashes at Raniganj in Burdwan West, during the Ramnavami festival celebrations, complaining that it was backed by the Left Front. Describing them ‘stooge’ he questionned their credibility.

Mr Ghosh also cautioned the Trinamul Congress workers and the state police to not to target the BJP candidates and workers during the Panchayat Elections. Hours before the rally from Esplanade to Rabindra Sadan the BJP MLA of Kharagpur said in West Midnapore, “It will not affect West Bengal whether the intellectuals take out a rally or launch a movement. No one cares of them. They have no credibility. They are the stooge of others and survive on others. They have now become isolated from the mass.”

After the rally Mr Ghosh alleged that the intellectuals belonged to the Left camp. “Now they have come out to rescue the Left which have lost its base in the state,” he said.

Eminent poet Shankha Ghosh, renowned film director Tarun Majumdar, theatrician Rudraprasad Sengupta marched alongwith several actors and authors from cultural fields in the afternoon rally. Mr Majumdar said, “I thought it was important for me to attend the rally to protest strongly what has been happening around us. We do not hit the street suddenly. But sometimes such a situation comes when there is no way other than taking to road.”

Mr Sengupta said, “There was a heritage in West Bengal of living together in harmony. I saw in my childhood that my mother was serving food to Muslims brothers alongwith us at our home. Someone is creating a trouble which is not good. A price has to be paid by those who are indulging in this trouble. But many innocent and decent persons will suffer meanwhile.”

Left Front chairman Biman Bose, CPI(M) state secretary Surjyakanta Mishra, CPI(M) leader Shyamal Chakraborty were the rally after the intellectuals.

Mr Chakraborty argued that the political figures did not lead the rally to keep it apolitical. He reasoned, “No political flags and banners were used in the procession. No political leaders were on the forefront also. All of us were behind the intellectuals because we thought it is our duty to take part in the rally.”

On the panchayat polls Mr Ghosh added, “The way we have done it during the filing of the nominations, the people will see the reflection in the election results. Then the common people will guard the villages.”

In a threatening mood, he mentioned, “If someone would try to sneak he would have to be carried away in a stretcher or have return home after visiting hospital. The Trinamul Congress should keep it in mind before taking part in the polls. Those who are the candidates, are taken away by the police. I want to warn the police: if you do not act right, we will not spare anyone. The people will decide the fate of whoever will create any obstruction in democracy.”