Vidyasagar bust desecration triggers BJP-TMC spat, stirs

A day after the bust of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar lay shattered at a Kolkata college during Tuesday's violence, the BJP and TMC were locked in bitter recrimination over its desecration as 'Bengali pride' overtook all other issues before the last phase of polling on May 19.

The 19th century icon of 'Bengal Renaissance' was suddenly pitchforked into public discourse during the cut and thrust of a gruelling election, with both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress blaming each other for the act that many consider is nothing short of sacrilege in the state.

BJP chief Amit Shah, whose convoy was attacked by alleged TMC workers during a roadshow that triggered violence and arson, claimed in New Delhi that workers of West Bengal's ruling party vandalised the bust.

The TMC shot back, blaming the "BJP goons" for the act and claiming it has video evidence to prove the allegation.

The violence apparently began after suspected TMC supporters hurled stones at the BJP convoy from inside the hostel of Vidyasagar College. Furious BJP workers retaliated, and during the clash a bust of the polymath-social reformer inside the campus was damaged.

Shah alleged that the vandalisation of the statue was an act staged by "TMC goons" to gain "sympathy" as the party led by Mamata Banerjee has realised its "reverse count" has begun.

"If she has nothing to hide, I will ask Mamata ji to seek a probe by a neutral agency, by an SIT (special investigation team) constituted by the Kolkata High Court or the Supreme Court," he said.

BJP leaders and workers were on the road outside the campus and its gates remained closed even during the violence, he said, adding that his party's supporters could not have gone inside to desecrate the statue located far inside a room.

"All evidence indicate that TMC goons were behind it. The TMC has done this to turn around a losing battle. It has lost in all six phases so far. For vote bank politics, statue of a famous educationist was damaged. The countdown for the end of the TMC rule has begun," Shah said.

The TMC made identical accusations against the BJP and its parliamentary team met the Election Commission in the national capital where it submitted "proof" to back its claim.

Before heading to the poll panel, its leader Derek O'Brien asserted: "The video not only clearly establishes what the BJP did, but proves that its chief Amit Shah is a liar and 'dhokhebaaz' (cheat)."