"TMC created atmosphere of violence in West Bengal": Tripura CM Manik Saha

Agartala (Tripura) [India], June 17 (ANI): Following the incidents of violence from several pockets of West Bengal reported after the declaration of Lok Sabha 2024 results, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha lashed out at the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in the state, claiming that the latter has created an "atmosphere of violence".
In an exclusive conversation with ANI, CM Saha said, "The ruling TMC has created an atmosphere of violence in West Bengal. I strongly oppose such scenarios. Post-poll violence, pre-poll violence or even violence during the polls, are very common there. The way violence was reported during the communist rule in the state, the same situation prevails under the TMC rule now."
CM Manik Saha further highlighted that he was informed of a few incidents in which people were tortured and their houses were destroyed.
"I have been there (in West Bengal) multiple times during polls. I also visited several places in the state. People were kept in fear, and deprived of their voting rights. Several locals told me that if the election is concluded properly, the BJP would win more seats. However, we bagged 12 seats against our target of 32. I was also informed of a few incidents in which people were tortured and their shops and residents were thrashed", added the Tripura Chief Minister.
CM Saha also mentioned that the BJP has formed a four-member committee to look into the incidents of violence.
"The BJP has appointed a four-member committee to look into the incidents of violence, led by our MP Biplab Kumar Deb. We are waiting for the report. In our state Tripura, no such conditions prevail. I had personally instructed everyone to ensure proper maintenance of law and order", he said.
Incidents of post-poll violence poured in from several pockets of West Bengal where BJP workers were allegedly beaten and their offices were vandalised, after the declaration of Lok Sabha 2024 results.
The Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda on Saturday constituted a 4-member committee to probe post-poll violence in West Bengal.
The committee includes party MPs Biplab Kumar Deb, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Brij Lal and Kavita Patidar with Deb as its convener, who arrived in West bengal on Sunday to take immediate stock of the situation and report further.
Earlier on Sunday, West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari met Governor CV Ananda Bose at the Raj Bhavan along with the victims of post-poll violence in the state.
After meeting the Governor, Adhikari said that the Governor assured them that his doors are always open for all victims of post-poll violence till the situation normalises.
"We met Governor...he has told that doors are always open for victims till the post-poll violence ends...," Adhikari said speaking to reporters.
The BJP secured 12 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, while the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC emerged victorious in 29 seats and the Congress bagged one seat. (ANI)