Mamata Banerjee thinks of only 28 per cent population: Sidharth Nath Singh, BJP

NEW DELHI: Seeking to paint the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal as 'pro-Muslim', BJP today alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee thinks only about 28 per cent voters and claimed that police were asked not to fire at a mob of the minority community in Malda.

BJP today came out with a list of 10 questions directed at the state government as it suggested that the TMC dispensation allowed the crowd in Malda to turn violent despite having prior intelligence.

At a press conference, BJP national secretary Sidharth Nath Singh, who is also Bengal co-incharge, said the TMC government deliberately deferred the date of immersion of Durga idols due to Moharram.

"One common thread in your government's approach is of vote bank politics. Please confirm whether your state policy is of 'Sabka saath sabka vikas' or 'Ek ka saath ek ka vikas'?

"You (Banerjee) think there are only 28 per cent of voters in Bengal. Isn't it a state policy under the TMC govt that only 28 per cent voters exist in the state? If it is not true, then answer why the date of immersion for Durga idols was postponed for three days because Moharram was falling the next day?" he asked.

Singh said state police and intelligence officials had on camera made various statements that "indict" the government.

"Local intelligence officials on camera said that they had received report about such a gathering on communal line in Kaliachak and sent it to the administration. Why did you ignore it?

"When a mob attacked them (cops), they took shelter in a police station. Police officers in Malda, on camera, say that instructions came from top that they should not fire at mob since they are from the minority community. Mamataji, isn't this violation of India's basic secular fabric?" he asked.