Mamata Banerjee Denies BJP’s Allegations, Asserts West Bengal Safest for Women
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dismissed allegations made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding the Sandeshkhali case, where TMC leaders are accused of sexually abusing women. Addressing a TMC Mahila Wing Rally in Kolkata, Banerjee accused the BJP of spreading false information and affirmed that West Bengal is the safest state for women in the country. She criticized the BJP for maintaining silence on women’s issues in states governed by the party.
Banerjee’s comments came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the TMC over the alleged sexual assaults in Sandeshkhali, warning that the women’s anger would extend beyond the village. The ongoing controversy involves accusations against TMC leaders, including Sheikh Shahjahan, of sexual harassment and land grabbing in the Sandeshkhali area.
In her address, Banerjee also targeted former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who recently joined the BJP. She pledged to ensure his defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, accusing him of taking away jobs from thousands of youths through his judgments.
The Sandeshkhali case gained attention on January 5 when ED officers faced violence during a search at the home of Shahjahan. Subsequent protests erupted, with local residents alleging sexual harassment by TMC leaders. Shahjahan was arrested by the state police on February 29 and later handed over to the CBI on the orders of the Calcutta high court.
