Suvendu tries to enter Raj Bhawan with victims of post-poll violence, stopped

BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari and alleged post-poll violence victims barred by Kolkata Police from Raj Bhawan entry.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, along with alleged victims of post-poll violence, was on Thursday prevented by the Kolkata Police from entering the Raj Bhawan.

About 200 BJP supporters, who, according to the party, are victims of post-poll violence. arrived at Raj Bhawan with Mr. Adhikari, but the police prevented them from entering the premises citing Section 144 of the CrPC that was in force outside the Raj Bhawan prohibiting large gatherings. A large contingent of Kolkata Police had surrounded the area from three sides stopping the convoy of vehicles approach the building.

The gathering led by Mr. Adhikari was there for almost an hour after which the people left.

“I do not think such a development occurred during the Emergency. I waited for almost an hour and did not touch the barricade. I also informed the Raj Bhawan about the developments,” Mr. Adhikari said.

The BJP leader waved photos of the victims and said he would move the Calcutta High Court against the police. “We were not conducting any rally here. We have brought around 200 victims (of post-poll violence), whom the Governor had allowed to come to Raj Bhavan,” he said.

BJP leaders who had gathered at the spot asked why Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee was allowed to hold protests outside Raj Bhawan last year and whether that did not amount to violation of Section 144.

Prior to this, Mr. Adhikari had approached the Calcutta High Court over the incidents of post-poll violence. After the final phase of polling concluded on June 1, the supporters of the BJP and at certain places of CPI(M) have been attacked. Several BJP workers have taken shelter in party offices in the South 24 Parganas.