Bengal BJP lodges complaint with EC, Amit Shah over state police bias

Kolkata, Feb 21: Claiming that the ruling TMC had attacked its ''Parivartan Yatra'' rally in North 24 Parganas district, the BJP''s West Bengal unit on Sunday complained to the Election Commission and Union Home Minister Amit Shah accusing the state police of bias and not providing enough security to the participants.

BJP state vice-president Pratap Banerjee alleged in the complaint that miscreants owing allegiance to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) had attacked the ''Parivartan Yatra'' at Minakhan in Basirhat of North 24 Parganas district on Saturday with bombs and brickbatted participants, injuring two saffron party workers.

"Despite prior intimation, the local administration did not take any steps for the safety and security of the participants," Banerjee wrote, seeking action against "biased officers, TMC miscreants, and also deploy honest and neutral personnel to conduct peaceful and fair assembly election."

The BJP has launched ''Parivartan Yatra'' rallies ahead of the assembly election in the state, which is due in April- May.

Banerjee alleged that the local police remained "mute spectators" when the attack took place.

Police had said, a convoy of cars led by West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh was attacked in Minakhan triggering a scuffle between activists of the saffron party and the TMC on Saturday.

However, no bombs were used in the attack and there was no report of any casualty, they said. The TMC alleged that workers of the saffron party had ransacked its party office in the area.

A few days ago, BJP leader Fitoze Kamal Gazi alias Babu Master was injured in an attack in Minakha area.

BJP national president JP Naddas convoy was attacked in December last year in South 24 Parganas district.