West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over a purported “sting operation” video that has surfaced related to the Sandeshkhali incident. The video, broadcast by a local news channel, has caused a stir and raised questions about the integrity of the BJP.
Banerjee, in a post on social media, referred to the video as a “shocking sting” and stated that it reveals the depth of corruption within the BJP. The purported video allegedly shows an individual claiming that women who were not sexually assaulted were falsely portrayed as “rape” victims at the direction of Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition. However, it is important to note that the authenticity of the video could not be independently verified, and the news channel that aired it did not confirm its veracity.
The person making these allegations against Adhikari in the video is said to be a BJP Mandal (booth) president named Gangadhar Koyal. He claims that influential individuals in the area would not be arrested unless he is falsely implicated in a “rape case”.
The Sandeshkhali incident refers to an incident where women in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, staged protests against the ruling TMC and its leader, Shahjahan. They accused Shahjahan of “assault” under duress. Shahjahan, the main accused, is currently in custody in connection with an attack on a team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that was conducting a raid on his residence in relation to an alleged ration scam.
Following the release of the “sting operation” video, the TMC released a statement on social media, claiming that it exposed how the BJP has resorted to extreme measures to malign Bengal. The statement further alleges that every claim made by the BJP, ranging from “mass rape” to “arms seizure,” was purchased and staged by Adhikari. The statement also expresses the belief that the people of Bengal will not forgive these “Bangla-Birodhis” and that the women and sisters of Bengal will seek revenge for this.
Gangadhar Koyal, the Mandal (Block) president of Sandeshkhali Block 2, has denied the allegations made against him in the video, claiming that his words were manipulated using advanced technology. In a video released by Adhikari, Koyal states that the viral video targeting him is part of a conspiracy and collusion, and that his words have been tampered with using high-tech methods. He further alleges that he, his party, and the women of Sandeshkhali have been targeted to damage their reputations and tarnish the image of Suvendu Adhikari. He demands a CBI inquiry into the matter and expresses his intention to approach the CBI to request an investigation against I-PAC and Abhishek Banerjee so that they can be punished.
Banerjee, in a separate statement, said that the BJP is driven by hatred for Bengal’s progressive thought and culture and that the “Bangla-Birodhis” have orchestrated a conspiracy to defame the state at every possible level. She added that never before in the history of India has a ruling party in Delhi attempted to malign an entire state and its people, and that history will witness Bengal rising in anger against Delhi’s conspiratorial regime and ensuring their defeat.
Suvendu Adhikari responded to the allegations, stating that while the truth can be distorted, its “shelf life” is short. He emphasized that ultimately, truth prevails and advised the perpetrators to remember this in the future.
Senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha dismissed the alleged sting video as “doctored” and claimed that the individual presented as a BJP booth chief is actually a TMC booth president. He added that there is no substance to the so-called sting video and that Mamata Banerjee has not once visited Sandeshkhali to support the wronged and tortured women there.
