Bengaluru Blast: Trinamool, BJP Spar Over "Safe Haven For Terrorists" Barb

The men arrested this morning - Mussavir Hussain Shazeb and Abdul Matheen Taha - are believed to be key conspirators; Taha allegedly handled the logistics while Shazeb planted the bomb.

The arrest of two key accused in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case - tracked from Bengaluru to Bengal's East Midnapore district - has triggered a predictable political slugfest between the state's ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the election. The proactive role of WBP in the matter has been officially acknowledged by the Central Agencies.West Bengal has NEVER been a safe haven for terrorists and the state police will continue to remain ever-vigilant in keeping its people safe from nefarious activities. (2/2)

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, at an election rally in Dinhata in Bengal's Cooch Behar, hit back at barbs the state had become a "safe haven for terrorists" under her rule. Ms Banerjee, a fierce and vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP, pointed out, "The men (who were arrested) are not residents of Bengal... they were hiding out here. They were arrested in two hours."

"The BJP cannot stand it if there is peace in Bengal," the Trinamool boss raged.