"Everything was pre-planned": Mamata Banerjee Accuses BJP of "Pre-Planned" Violence During Ram Navami Celebrations

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of instigating violence during Ram Navami celebrations in Murshidabad district. She asserted that the clashes were "pre-planned" and alleged that the BJP orchestrated the violence ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The incident, which occurred in Murshidabad's Shaktipur area on Wednesday, involved a blast near a procession, resulting in the injury of a woman, according to police reports.

“Everything was pre-planned. The DIG of Murshidabad was removed a day ahead of Ram Navami so that you (the BJP) can carry out violence,” said Banerjee, speaking at an election rally in the Raiganj Lok Sabha constituency. She further accused "BJP goons" of assaulting police personnel in the district.

In response, Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, held Mamata Banerjee responsible for the clashes during the procession in Murshidabad on Wednesday. Adhikari criticized Mamata Banerjee for her recent remarks at a rally, where she allegedly referred to April 17 as the BJP's "day of rioting." He claimed that her statement incited miscreants and hindered law enforcement agencies from taking action against them. He called for a NIA probe into the incident, alleging that Mamata Banerjee's provocative speech triggered the violence.

Meanwhile, Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Mazumdar asserted that the peaceful procession was allegedly attacked by TMC workers. He accused Mamata Banerjee of inciting violence to garner minority votes for the upcoming elections. "It is part of CM Mamata Banerjee’s plan to instigate people and consolidate minority votes for the upcoming elections. We demand an NIA inquiry into the matter,” said Dr Mazumdar.