LS polls: Tripura CM's roadshow in Kolkata stopped by police

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha. Pic/ANI

Following the reported interruption of a roadshow he was leading on behalf of BJP candidate Debashree Chowdhury in South Kolkata on Thursday, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha expressed his deep concern that the state has gone into a 'forest raj'.

Speaking to ANI after the roadshow was allegedly stopped, the Tripura CM said, "The police stopped our roadshow saying that we did not have the permission to go ahead. We had only just started the roadshow after taking all necessary permission and clearances from the authorities. This just goes to show that jungle raj is prevailing in Bengal. Can't Opposition leaders hold election campaigns here?"

Additionally, there were claims of altercations between BJP supporters and Kolkata Police officers after the city purportedly stopped the roadshow featuring Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha. Per an ANI report, a video recording of the event showed BJP supporters pushing a police-erected roadblock in the middle of the roadshow.

The roadshow, held on Thursday evening at Hazra Road, was intended to bolster support for former Union Minister Debashree Chowdhury. CM Saha, one of the BJP's star campaigners amid the Lok Sabha elections, arrived for the roadshow on Thursday but it was disrupted after the city police personnel allegedly blocked the procession, citing lack of permission.

Reacting strongly to being allegedly stopped, Saha said, "There is absolute lawlessness and jungle raj here. Can't Opposition leaders even campaign for the elections here?" Debashree Chowdhury, too, hit out at the Mamata Banerjee government over the alleged police action.

Further accusing the prevailing TMC regime of arrogance and tyranny, the Tripura CM said, "The incident at Hazra Road where our roadshow was blocked by the police was a blatant insult to our democracy and the Constitution", adding, "The people of Bengal cherish democracy and will rise against this arrogance and injustice. They will give a befitting reply through their votes."

Later, taking to his social media handle, CM Saha posted, "It seems CM Mamata Banerjee is committed to flouting the democratic values, which also shows her dictatorial ways and desperation after sensing defeat in the general elections."

Debashree Chowdhury is running against Mala Roy of the Trinamool Congress in the South Kolkata seat. On June 1, voters will cast ballots for the seat. In West Bengal, there will be seven phases of polling, and the final two phases will include voting on May 25 and June 1. June 4 is the date of the vote count. Voting in the sixth round will take place in Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur on May 25.

(With Inputs from ANI)