Heckling of Bengal CM at Oxford: TMC divided over UK protest; IT cell chief slams seniors for staying mum

In a stinging Facebook post, the TMC youth leader wrote: “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was interrupted during her speech at Kellogg College in London, Education Minister Bratya Basu was heckled at Jadavpur University and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was harassed by central investigative agencies. However, a section of leaders who are either elected representatives or hold important posts in the party remained indoors and are only seen during felicitation programmes holding flower bouquets and donning ‘uttariyas’ on the podium.”

Bhattacharya, who unsuccessfully contested the last Lok Sabha polls, asserted that the party stood by those leaders during their difficult times but they were caught napping during “the battle”.

He also said those who became MLA or leader just because of Mamata Banerjee, they don’t even bother when she is heckled and insulted.

“Why should you wait for instruction to actively take part in protest when our leader faces dishonour? Will you be thrown out of the party if you take out a protest rally on your own in the given situation,” asked Bhattacharya, one of the TMC state spokespersons.

“Instead of sitting in the party office in the company of sycophants and flooding the social media pages with your photos and inauguration of drains and roads, these leaders must also use social media to counter the false and toxic opposition propaganda against our party and its supremo,” read the post of Bhattacharya.

Stating that being the junior most spokesperson, junior most youth wing president, the youngest Lok Sabha candidate and now the IT cell charge, he will not run away from the battlefield till his last breath.

“Why did you contest from panchayat, municipality, Assembly and Lok Sabha seats and get elected if you cannot face the onslaught of conspirators?” Bhattacharya said, adding several senior ministers despite their busy schedules still do their bit in defending the CM, while the rest don’t.

During her speech at Oxford University last week, Banerjee had to face protest from a group of students, who later claimed to be SFI members. They questioned Banerjee on issues like RG Kar rape and murder case, recent incident ta Jadavpur University involving Education Minister Bratya Basu. Some people in the audience were seen showing placards, questioning the CM on her stance on communal issues.

On the RG Kar issue, Banerjee said: “Do you know that this case is pending? The responsibility of investigating this case is now in the hands of the Central government, the case is no longer in our hands.”

She further added, “Don’t disrespect your institution by insulting me. I have come here as a representative of the country. Don’t insult your country.”

Just after the incident, Bhattacharya, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh and other party leaders condemned the incident on social media. Ministers Chandrima Bhattacharya and Sashi Panja led the party women wing’s protest march in Kolkata last Saturday.

Reacting to Bhattacharya’s criticism of senior leaders, veteran TMC leader Saugata Roy said: “The people of Bengal won’t be swayed or influenced by the Left or BJP. There is no need to organise separate protest rallies against stray activities by these frustrated elements. Our CM has herself rebuffed those who tried to derail her address (in London).”

TMC state general secretary and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “Debangshu has vented his discontent over the response of some people within the organisation and posted some comments.”

Bhattacharya later told reporters: “I think everyone who loves the party should actively combat the sinister propaganda unleashed by forces that want to destabilise the state and embarrass our leader. With only eight months to go for the Assembly polls, they (senior leaders) must not wait for programmes announced by the party leadership but act on their own.”

-with PTI