Robi Murmu's burnt house
Bolpur, West Bengal:
A senior leader from Mamata Banerjee's party has offered this advice to others in the Trinamool Congress ahead of panchayat or local elections: attack the homes of independent candidates, and hurl bombs at police officers.
Less than 24 after his remarks, the house of Robi Murmu, an independent candidate in the Birbhum district, was reportedly set on fire this morning.
Anubrata Mondal, the district president of the Trinamool in Birbhum, shared his opinion on Wednesday at a political rally.
Tapas Mondal, an official with the Election Commission told NDTV today, "We are contemplating action." He said the local police has been asked to file a report on the details of the Trinamool leader's speech.
Panchayat elections for 2754 seats in Birbhum will be held on Monday. Several independent candidates are allegedly disgruntled Trinamool supporters who have decided to contest the election after they were denied tickets by the party. Birbhum was traditionally loyal to the Left, but Ms Banerjee made massive inroads in 2011.
"If any independent candidate threatens you, uproot his house, invade his house. Don't give vote to those independents," the Trinamool leader had said. "If the administration supports those independents, hurl bombs on the police of that administration."
Two ministers from the state government were present on the stage with him and did not intervene after those remarks.
D Raja of the Left said, "Mamata Banerjee as a chief minister should owe an explanation. She should take an action and act strongly I don't know what the CM is doing there."
Less than 24 after his remarks, the house of Robi Murmu, an independent candidate in the Birbhum district, was reportedly set on fire this morning.
Anubrata Mondal, the district president of the Trinamool in Birbhum, shared his opinion on Wednesday at a political rally.
Tapas Mondal, an official with the Election Commission told NDTV today, "We are contemplating action." He said the local police has been asked to file a report on the details of the Trinamool leader's speech.
Panchayat elections for 2754 seats in Birbhum will be held on Monday. Several independent candidates are allegedly disgruntled Trinamool supporters who have decided to contest the election after they were denied tickets by the party. Birbhum was traditionally loyal to the Left, but Ms Banerjee made massive inroads in 2011.
"If any independent candidate threatens you, uproot his house, invade his house. Don't give vote to those independents," the Trinamool leader had said. "If the administration supports those independents, hurl bombs on the police of that administration."
Two ministers from the state government were present on the stage with him and did not intervene after those remarks.
D Raja of the Left said, "Mamata Banerjee as a chief minister should owe an explanation. She should take an action and act strongly I don't know what the CM is doing there."
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