West Bengal minister Shashi Panja on Saturday alleged that BJP "goons", and not Trinamool Congress workers as claimed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had indulged in violence during rural elections held in July.
The PM, while virtually addressing the BJP's Panchayati Raj Parishad in West Bengal on Friday, criticised the ruling party in the state for using "terror and threats" to intimidate the opposition during the rural polls.
"Is it because the BJP could not win the panchayat polls that terror and intimidation are being alleged? It is the BJP which indulged in violence in West Bengal," Shashi Panja said, seeking to counter the PM's accusations against the Mamata Banerjee dispensation.
Asserting that Narendra Modi's accusations against the TMC government were untrue, Ms Panja accused the BJP government at the Centre of depriving West Bengal of its financial dues under various schemes.
"He does not have the time to visit Manipur, but does find time to address party workers in West Bengal," Ms Panja said.
She said that it was untrue that atrocities were being perpetrated upon Adivasis and Dalits in the eastern state.
"It is in the BJP-ruled states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh that Dalits and Adivasis are victimised," Shashi Panja added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Tamil Nadu Government vs Governor Over Vice Chancellor Appointment
BJP To Not Name Chief Ministerial Candidate For Delhi Polls: Source Unclaimed Bag At Delhi BJP Office Sparks Panic Opinion: Opinion | Mohan Bhagwat's Statement Should Be Welcomed by All Parents On Mumbai Ferry Wanted To Toss Children In Sea. Rescuers Stopped Them Video: Bird's-Eye View Of Devastation After Jaipur Accident That Killed 14 2 Dead, 60 Injured In German Christmas Market Car Attack, Saudi Man Arrested "World Is Sick": Survivors Recount Attack In Germany's Market That Killed 2 2 Men Seen Outside Sanjay Raut's Bungalow Were Testing Mobile Network: Cops Saudi Arabia Expresses "Solidarity" With Germany After Market Attack Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.