BJP: Rise in border crimes

Kailash Vijayvargiya

TT, Calcutta, April 8: The BJP in Bengal persisted with its anti-Mamata Banerjee rhetoric on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi attempted to strengthen India-Bangladesh ties alongside the chief minister in New Delhi.

BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, the party's Bengal minder, today expressed concern over an alleged rise in cross-border infiltration, fake currency rackets and cattle smuggling. He said the situation in the state merited central intervention.

"Cross-border infiltration has increased alarmingly in Bengal. Fake currency trade and cattle smuggling are flourishing. Activities of anti-national elements are rapidly increasing. Since last summer, Trinamul infighting has claimed six lives and injured more than 300," Vijayvargiya said.

"There is lawlessness. While it is true that law and order is a state subject, the Centre can intervene if the state fails miserably. It is up to the Centre to decide," he added.

Accusing Trinamul of pursuing the politics of appeasement, Vijayvargiya said Mamata was looking for new issues to target his party after her anti-demonetisation campaign "fell flat".

Trinamul secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said the people would give a "fitting" reply to the BJP. "They can say whatever they like.... They do not even have a toehold in Bengal and they know things are not going to look up for them in the foreseeable future."