Did Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha Justify His Criticism of Mamata's Government Over Murshidabad Violence?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Murshidabad violence linked to Trinamool Congress leader.
- Allegations of law and order failure in West Bengal.
- SIT report indicates organized violence.
- BJP leveraging findings for political gain.
- Potential impact on upcoming elections.
Patna, May 21 (NationPress) Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha harshly criticized Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, following a Special Investigation Team (SIT) report that linked a Trinamool Congress leader to the recent violence in Murshidabad. The SIT's findings were submitted to the Kolkata High Court.
In an interview with IANS, Deputy CM Sinha claimed that the state has descended into chaos and accused the Trinamool Congress government of neglecting its responsibility to maintain law and order.
“Mamata Banerjee has utterly lost control over her administration,” he asserted.
“Those who gained power through appeasement politics are now dismantling the democratic and constitutional framework of the state,” he added.
The SIT report indicated that Trinamool councillor Mehboob Alam was allegedly responsible for inciting the communal violence that broke out in Murshidabad last month, which followed the enactment of the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
This report, directed by the High Court, detailed widespread arson, looting, and the destruction of shops and malls, with a primary focus on targeting the Hindu community.
“Local police were unresponsive and failed to act on emergency calls,” the report noted, emphasizing that the violence was premeditated rather than spontaneous.
Vijay Kumar Sinha condemned the findings, stating: “This has been substantiated in a court of law. I want to convey to Mamata Banerjee that this mentality must cease. Such actions are unconstitutional and demonstrate a blatant disregard for democratic values. The Trinamool Congress is a party willing to compromise anything for power.”
He went on to claim that the rule of law in West Bengal has deteriorated under the Trinamool Congress, which he accused of harboring violent factions within its ranks.
The implications of the SIT findings are likely to heighten the existing political discord between the BJP and Trinamool Congress, particularly as national parties gear up for the forthcoming Assembly and general elections.
Meanwhile, leaders of the BJP from several states, including Bihar, have begun referencing the report as evidence of “constitutional failure and minority appeasement” in West Bengal.