Nation

IIE Digital Desk : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has broken her silence on the recent violence during Ram Navami celebrations in Murshidabad, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the unrest as part of a pre-planned strategy to disrupt the region ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The violence erupted on April 17 in Shaktipur, Murshidabad, when a blast near a Ram Navami procession injured a woman. Banerjee alleged that the BJP had a hand in the incident, stating, "Everything was pre-planned. The DIG of Murshidabad was removed a day ahead of Ram Navami so that you (the BJP) can carry out violence." She further claimed that BJP-affiliated individuals assaulted police personnel during the unrest .

The Chief Minister also criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) for transferring the Murshidabad Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mukesh Kumar shortly before the festival, suggesting that the move was intended to facilitate the BJP's plans. "If there are riots in Murshidabad and Malda, the responsibility will lie with the Election Commission," Banerjee remarked, implying that the ECI's actions had compromised law and order in the region .

The BJP denied the allegations, asserting that stones were thrown at a Ram Navami procession in Rejinagar, Murshidabad, and accusing the Chief Minister of inciting violence through her speeches.

The situation has drawn national attention, with political leaders and citizens alike expressing concern over the potential for further unrest. As the investigation into the Murshidabad violence continues, the political ramifications are expected to unfold, influencing the discourse leading up to the general elections.