Mamata Banerjee held a rally in Kolaghat, near Dhulagarh, which witnesed violence last week.
Just an hour before Mamata Banerjee drove past Dhulagarh on Wednesday evening, she broke her silence on the communal tensions in the area and the largescale looting and arson that had been taking place there since last week. And it was a scathing, no holds barred attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"There is no point in political violence. I want to tell Narendra Modi and the riot makers of the BJP," the Chief Minister said. "There is no need to hurt anyone else. Arrest me alone. Your political revenge for Mamata Banerjee's protest will be fulfilled."
Addressing a rally in Kolaghat, around 40 km from the area that is under prohibitory orders even now, the Chief Minister issued an open challenge, accusing the BJP of conspiring to create communal tension in West Bengal.
"I will see how much power you have. How many riots can you instigate? How much you can loot? You are trying to stop me. You have conspired a lot. I have seen these conspiracies. I challenge you," Ms. Banerjee thundered.
Bengal has seen a spate of communal incidents between October and December.
The violence in Dhulagarh, just 35 km from Kolkata, started last week during a religious procession to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed. Some locals claim the violence was unprovoked, others say stones were thrown at those participating in the procession. While it was on, houses and shops were burnt and ransacked and the matter has now turned into a political controversy.
As Ms Banerjee's convoy passed Dhulagarh, BJP lawmaker Roopa Ganguly held a rally there. She blamed the Chief Minister for the arson and even named one of the legislators of the ruling Trinamool Congress.
"Gulshanji (legislator Gulshan Malik from neighbouring Pachla) was here when the ransacking took place. And those people don't belong to this area. They have come from Metiabruz and other places. They have been brought here to do this," Ms Ganguly said.
The locals in Dhulagarh who lost their homes and livelihood are angry. They want just, not just money. Trinamool minister Arup Roy, who was distributing relief cheques caught the brunt of it. Mr Roy had to pacify angry residents and promise that strongest possible action would be taken against the culprits.