2016 ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS - WEST BENGAL. Mamata is deliberately not taking action against infiltrators, says Amit Shah

Our Bureau Updated - January 20, 2018 at 06:00 AM.

'Her actions have jeopardised security not just in the State, but across the country'

Amit Shah, President, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), at a media conference in Kolkata. Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty

Absence of action and political will by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to stop Bangladeshi infiltration has led to “serious security issues” both in West Bengal and in the country, BJP President, Amit Shah, said here, on Tuesday.

Shah squarely blamed appeasement policies of Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) and use of these "infiltrators" as a vote bank for not taking action.

“She is deliberately not taking action against infiltrators. She wants to use it as a poll plank. Her actions have not just jeopardised security in Bengal [but] across the country,” he told reporters at a media conference organised by Press Club, Kolkata.

According to him, BJP will take necessary action that include "sealing of borders"; if West Bengal government "cooperates".

He, however, made a clear distinction and pointed out that his party will fight for the cause of “Hindu refugees” or those who have “faced religious persecution in Bangladesh”.

“We are with Hindu refugees and will take up their cause at the appropriate time,” the BJP President said.

We will not side with Left and TMC

Pointing out that BJP is against the Left-Cong alliance and the TMC, Shah said Banerjee was aiding corruption to retain power at any cost.

The Saradha scam and mushrooming of deposit taking schemes; followed by alleged indictment of several leaders in the Narada bribery sting operation only revealed the ugly face of the party.

Released in phases, the sting operation by Narada News allegedly shows several TMC MPs, MLAs and leaders taking bribes to benefit a fictitious private firm.

“From Saradha scam to mushrooming chit funds during her tenure to the present indictment of leaders in the bribery sting operation show Banerjee’s government as corrupt,” he said adding that under no circumstance will BJP side with Banerjee’s party.

To a question as to why Banerjee has not targeted the PM in her poll rallies, Shah said: “Please ask her. We are not with the TMC.”

Narada Sting

Calling for a CBI probe into allegations of bribery raised against TMC MPs and leaders, he raised apprehensions of the matter being diluted by the State investigation agencies.

Such influencing and “mess up” have been done in case of the Saradha scam, which has at present slowed down the investigationprogress.

“Why is the CM shying away? In 36 hours the real culprits will be brought to book,” Shah maintained.

“We have referred the matter to the ethics committee in the Lok Sabha, where we have a majority,” he added.

He blamed other parties like the CPM for not being vocal enough on the matter in the Rajya Sabha.

Published on March 29, 2016 11:14