WB polls: BJP's Ambedkar yatra in Kakdwip vandalised, stopped by TMC goons, alleges Nadda

Ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, BJP national president JP Nadda on Tuesday accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of vandalising and stopping one of the yatras scheduled to be conducted by the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday in Kakdwip.

Speaking to , Nadda said, "I had inaugurated the yatra from Kotulpur but the yatra that was scheduled to start from Kakdwip was vandalised by TMC goons, they tried to stop it. The BJP condemns it."

"The BJP had decided it will take out two Ambedkar yatras, one from Kakdwip and another from Kotulpur. These yatras were planned from the point of view of the development of our Schedule Caste brothers, for their harmony. They were orgsed to glorify Dr Ambdekar's life, the way he worked for the upliftment of the society and specifically to bring the brothers of the Scheduled caste into the mainstream of our society," said the BJP leader.

He further said, "The BJP was trying to take forward the ideologies of Dr Ambedkar through these yatras and establish peace and harmony in the society, but the TMC did not let that happen."

Nadda alleged that the TMC knowingly stopped the yatra as the latter have "clearly seen" its defeat in the upcoming state elections.

"The BJP knows that the TMC can clearly see its defeat. Therefore, due to restlessness, the TMC is indulging in such acts," said Nadda.

Responding to a question on Mamata Banerjee's remarks on the Election Commission, Nadda said, "This is Mamata Banerjee's habit. She always tries to sensationalise issues. For example, a player when not able to play properly blames the umpire. If they win (in the elections) then they refrain from discussing EVMs and if they face defeat then they blame EVMs. This has been their custom."

Earlier in the day, during a rally at Mejia, the West Bengal Chief Minister alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah intervenes in the day to day working of the Election Commission.

"Will the Home Minister run the country or decide who will get arrested or be beaten up, or will he decide which agency will chase whom? Who is running the Election Commission? I hope it's not you, Amit Shah. We want a free and fair election. He is intervening in the day-to-day working of EC," she added.

Elections to the 294-member state assembly will be held in eight phases starting from March 27 with the final round of voting taking place on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

( With inputs from ANI )