West Bengal Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh said that Beleghata MP Kunal Ghosh had predicted that he would be hit with eggs if he goes to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence but he did not expect that he would be hit with raw ones.
The state Minister also commented on how people have upgraded their skills in egging Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, a mode of protest that have gained limelight ever since the Mamata Banerjee-led government was toppled from power in the recently-held assembly elections.
“People seem to have practiced the art of throwing eggs. They are hitting at the right spot. I think they are made to practice somewhere and then sent for the actual mission,” he said.
“Kunal Ghosh somehow knew that he would be hit with eggs. He had already said that he would go to Kalighat nonetheless. But he did not expect that he would be hit with raw ones,” Ghosh quipped.
Taking a dig at TMC MP Mahua Moitra who had warned of legal action if she is egged, Ghosh said, “Another MP is sitting abroad making videos and saying that if eggs are thrown at her, people will be dragged to court. Let her come here once and see. Then she will find out whether raw or boiled eggs are waiting for her.”
‘Only the beginning’
Speaking on TMC general secreatary Abhishek Banerjee attending summons from various investigating agencies in the last few days, Ghosh said, “This is only the beginning. The road is open. Everyone will be made to go through the legal process. Some will go in earlier, some later. The police will proceed according to all information that comes to light.”
Abhishek is presently at the CID headquarters for questioning in the signature mismatch case.
‘Turned into pleasure quarters’
Speaking on the recent recoveries at TMC ward councillor Ananya Banerjee’s office at Mukundapur, the Panchayat Minister said, “From party offices to universities, all had turned into pleasure quarters. Party offices were created for collecting money through extortion. Shahjahan had occupied a government ferry ghat, turned it into a party office, and used it for extortion.
Commenting on the recent recoveries at Kolkata’s Surendranath College, Ghosh said, “Drinking dens were created inside universities while Mamata Banerjee kept passing bills in the Assembly to create one university after another. Universities and colleges had fallen under the control of anti-social elements. They became the leaders and decided admissions. They exploited girls who came to college. Such people deserve death penalty.”
On the recoveries from various TMC offices, Ghosh said, “A councillor receives an allowance of Rs 10,000. Can all this be built with that money? You may ask the locals; they have been exploited and looted for years. Everyone knew this but could not speak out; now the public has started speaking out.”
‘Why should road be blocked for prayers’
Speaking on allegations of double standards on blocking the city’s Red Road for the Yoga Day event in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be participating, while not allowing prayers on Eid at the same place, Ghosh said, “If the Prime Minister comes, it is natural that some roads will be blocked. He is visiting on a holiday. If the roads are not shut, it will create problems for those participating in the yoga event.”
In an attack directed at the minority community who were allegedly engaged in the action of blocking roads for offering prayers, Ghosh said, “Everyone knows for how long roads were blocked just for 15 minutes of prayers. And why should roads be blocked for them to offer prayers? Roads may be blocked for the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister. If anyone objects, they can go to Bangladesh. The government has changed and people have changed.”
‘May spend rest of his life in prison’
Speaking on former state Sports Minister Aroop Biswas allegedly avoiding appearance before investigators, Ghosh said, “The court has intervened. Many avoided appearing earlier as well, including Partha Chatterjee and Kesto Mondal. Later they all ended up in jail. This person may have to spend the rest of his life in prison. The situation seems to be moving in that direction.”