Malda Violence: Nitin Gadkari Hits Out At State Government

Buniadpur, West Bengal: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today lashed out at the Mamata Banerjee government over the Malda attack, accusing it of not taking action against the perpetrators and "sheltering criminals".

He also called for ousting the Trinamool Congress (TMC) dispensation in the coming assembly polls and replacing it with a BJP government for all-round development of the state.

"We want answers from you Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. When you had taken the oath as the Chief Minister, you had sworn to protect the poor civilians. But you are not protecting the poor civilians. You are protecting the criminals, who are looting and burning police stations, creating violence," Mr Gadkari said addressing a rally in Buniadpur in South Dinajpur district.

"Why no action has being taken against those who had burnt a police station? Who are criminals? Who are infiltrators?" he demanded and accused the state's TMC government of engaging in "vote bank politics".

"The government is pursuing appeasement politics with an eye on assembly polls," Mr Gadkari alleged.

The Union Minister also said if BJP is voted to power in the state, the party's government would take strong action against the "culprits and infiltrators".

"Don't worry, the Narendra Modi government is with you. And we are not a government which will bow before the criminals. We are a party which will take strong action against criminals," he said.

BJP national general secretary in-charge of West Bengal, Kailash Vijayvargiya urged the Centre to take action against the culprits involved in the January 3 Malda violence.

Protesting against alleged statements of a Hindutva activist, angry crowds had burnt Kaliachak police station in Malda district and set several vehicles on fire.

A team of BJP lawmakers was last week denied permission to visit violence-hit Kaliachak, drawing a sharp attack from the party. A BJP delegation had also met President Pranab Mukherjee on the issue.