WB BJP leader stopped from holding rally in East Midnapore

Kolkata, June 26 Senior West Bengal BJP leader Sayantan Basu was on Friday stopped midway by the police in East Midnapore while he was heading for a public rally in the district and made to return to the state capital.

The incident took place near Kolkata this afternoon when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader's car was stopped by senior district police officials.

"When stopped, I told the police that I shall not hold any rally. But still, they refused to allow me to reach the venue. Trinamool Congress activists are attacking our party workers everyday across Bengal. Now since they cannot stop us, the Trinamool administration is using the police to disturb our movements," Basu said.

The BJP leader alleged that police stations in all the districts of the state have virtually been turned into Trinamool party offices.

"I will not move an inch till they give me a solution," he added. Later, Basu's convoy had to return to Kolkata after a stand-off with the police and local Trinamool Congress activists.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that some political parties are trying to "flout the lockdown guidelines" and warned of action against the violators.

"This is against the central government's disaster guidelines. They are holding public rallies and various political activities by ignoring the norms. If anyone violates the law, we will take necessary action against him no matter who that person is. It is applicable to me as well," the CM told a press conference at the state Secretariat Nabanno here.

( With inputs from IANS )