All Eyes on Sandeshkhali as BJP MLAs and Governor Bose Prepare to Visit Region Affected by Violence

The epicenter of the political activity in the state on Monday will be Sandeshkhali, in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. In response to the installation of prohibitory orders under Section 144, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari and other BJP MLAs are traveling for the island. Adhikari’s visit on Monday is probably going to be met with similar resistance as that which was applied to a BJP delegation on Saturday when they tried to enter the violent region.

A crowd assault on Enforcement Directorate officers on January 5 during a raid connected to an alleged ration distribution fraud involving local TMC leader Sheikh Shajahan was the cause of the current turmoil in Sandeshkhali. Tensions in the hamlet of North 24 Parganas have increased as a result of accusations made by women there against Shajahan and his friends of sexual harassment and land grabbing.

Adhikari has said, “Come what may, we will reach Sandeshkhali.”

Meanwhile, Governor CV Ananda Bose canceled his trip to Kerala and is scheduled to visit Sandeshkhali on Monday.

The Chief Vigilance Commissioner of the Union government and top officials from the central armed police force have had conversations with the governor, who has also demanded a thorough report on the occurrence from the state administration.

17 persons have been detained from the area so far, including BJP politician Bikash Singh and TMC leader Uttam Sardar. Nirapada, a former CPM MLA, has also been detained on charges of inciting violence. CPM cadre staged protests outside the police station in opposition to his detention.

Administrative meetings will be held in Hooghly’s Arambagh, a significant constituency, by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Sheikh Shajahan is allegedly receiving “protection” from the police, according to the BJP. In response to the BJP’s accusations, the CPM and the saffron party are accused by the governing TMC of a “conspiracy” to deflect focus from the state government’s “movement” about the non-payment of central MNREGA money to West Bengal.

TMC’s Shajahan has been called by the ED a second time amid political sensitivities surrounding the matter, concurrently with the court hearing his bail application for anticipation.