Election Commission has turned into a ‘harassment commission’: Abhishek Banerjee

Tension continued to prevail in Beldanga area of Murshidabad following the mysterious death of a local youth who had been working in Jharkhand, even as Trinamool Congress All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee held a roadshow and public meeting in Berhampore on Saturday. Despite being advised to cancel his programme due to the situation, the Trinamool MP went ahead with the event.

Addressing the gathering, Abhishek issued a warning to maintain peace and urged people not to “give oxygen to the BJP.” Without naming anyone, he targeted Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury and a recently expelled Trinamool MLA, claiming that Berhampore would soon come under Trinamool’s control and alleging BJP involvement behind the unrest in Beldanga.

He further alleged that the situation in Beldanga was created with the instigation and money of BJP “bosses” and a newly emerged “traitor” in Bengal. According to him, the true face of those involved would be exposed soon. Abhishek said he was closely monitoring the incident and had access to intelligence inputs related to the developments.

The Trinamool leader also launched a sharp attack on the Centre, alleging neglect in addressing river erosion issues. On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Abhishek warned that the issue would not be dropped, saying, “You started the game; we will finish it.”

Beldanga has remained tense since the body of the young street vendor, who lived in a rented room in Jharkhand, was brought back home on Friday. Protests led to national highways being blocked and railway services disrupted. Abhishek Banerjee has demanded an investigation into the death from Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.