Kolkata, Aug 9 (IANS) A banner was put up in Kolkata’s Salt Lake area on Sunday, cautioning leaders joining the BJP from other parties. The banner said that if anyone joins the BJP and indulges in extortion, then that person will have to face “egg therapy”.
Former BJP mandal president of the Salt Lake area, Sanjoy Poira, placed the banner in the morning, raising concerns over the entry of political leaders from other parties into the BJP. At the same time, he said the same could be applicable to those BJP leaders who indulge in extortion.
Speaking to IANS, Sanjoy Poira said, “Today the people of West Bengal have voted against syndicates, extortion, and cut money. So, right now, we are seeing the BJP’s door has been opened slightly. There may be political calculations behind this in the national interest. But those (Trinamool Congress leaders) who are coming through this slightly opened door are all people who were involved in extortion and taking cut money.”
He further cautioned those joining the BJP after the change of government and asked them not to indulge in extortion for which the previous government was thrown out of power. “We don’t want to resort to egg therapy. We want to warn the leaders that this (extortion) won’t be tolerated anymore in West Bengal. The BJP has a zero-tolerance policy against extortion and any forms of corruption. Therefore, if they indulge in extortion, then they will have to face the eggs,” he told IANS.
After the change of government in the state following the state Assembly election, a large number of Trinamool Congress leaders, former ministers and councillors were arrested by the police on various charges, including extortion, assault, molestation and intimidation. In most of the cases, angry people threw eggs on those leaders while they were being escorted by the police. In several instances, people chanted the “thieves” slogan while throwing eggs at the arrested Trinamool Congress leaders.
Recently, West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said that it would take some time for the new government to completely stop extortion in the state.
He also warned BJP workers of getting involved in illegal activities, and asserted that action will be taken against them if any allegations of corruption are raised.
The BJP state president gave a message to party workers and leaders to come out of the shadow of party politics which prevailed during the previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments.
–IANS
sch/dpb
