Amit Shah says will move court for party programmes in West Bengal

BHUBANESWAR: BJP President Amit Shah said the party would move court against West Bengal government's refusal to party events in Kolkata.

Shah was supposed to attend two events, which the BJP wanted to hold at the government-run Netaji Indoor Stadium on September 10 or 12. According to media reports, permission has been denied by the authorities who now claim the stadium is booked for the month except for days coinciding with Durga Puja, September 26-30.

The BJP blames the Trinamool Congress government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for this. Banerjee is also accused of cancelling permission to a venue for a programme scheduled for October 3 that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat and Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi were to attend.

Replying to a question at a press conference in Bhubaneshwar Shah said, “We can debate democratic values for those who respect democracy. Whether it is my programme or Mohan Bhagawat, we will go move court. They have tried several times to stop me and every time the court has granted permission. I am confident the court will allow us this time too.”

On the issue of Rohingya refugees the BJP President said, “On the Rohingya issue -- whether it is an issue of refugees or infiltrators - the matter is in the Supreme Court. The government of India will soon makes its stand clear in an affidavit to the court. I would rather not comment on it at this stage, given the matter is sub-judice.”