Sandeshkhali Sting Operation: Fabricated or Fact? Trinamool Congress Fires Salvo, says Video "Exposes BJP's Political Theater"; BJP hits back, asserts "Truth Will Prevail"

The row over the Sandeshkhali issue once again erupted anew in the  political discourse of Bengal on Saturday as a viral sting implicating local BJP leaders surfaced on social media. In the sting operation, Gangadhar Kayal, BJP's Sandeshkhali 2 mandal president, alleged LoP Suvendu Adhikari's involvement in orchestrating the events that rocked the island village earlier this year, sparking a political storm. TMC leaders slammed PM Modi and Adhikari, claiming BJP's misdeeds in defaming the people of Bengal were finally exposed. 

"A viral video today exposed how the BJP left no stone unturned to malign Bengal. From "mass rape" to "arms seizure," every claim was BOUGHT and STAGED by none other than @SuvenduWB People won't forgive these Bangla-Birodhis. Bengal's mothers & sisters shall avenge this. #SandeshkhaliExposed,"posted the official handle of TMC on "X". The ruling Trinamool Congress that had been in the center of all allegations that transpired earlier this year, seized on the video as evidence of orchestrated events in Sandeshkhali, intending to discredit the party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. 

Taking to social media platform "X", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit out at the BJP and said that the viral video shows the "deep rot" within the saffron party. "The shocking Sandeshkhali sting shows how deep the rot is within the BJP. In their hatred for Bengal's progressive thought & culture, the Bangla-Birodhis orchestrated a conspiracy to defame our state on every possible level. Never before in the history of India has a ruling party in Delhi tried to malign an entire state and its people. History will witness how Bengal will rise in rage against Delhi's conspiratorial regime & ensure their Bishorjon,"said Banerjee. 

She raised the issue once again during a poll meeting later in the day. "They (BJP) scripted a good drama out of the Sandeshkhali issue. However, the truth has finally surfaced. I had told all of you repeatedly that it was simply a ploy, and a drama scripted by BJP," said Mamata Banerjee. 

Avishek Banerjee the National General Secretary of TMC condemned the "abhorrent act" and stated that he was "shocked" by the turn of events. "I am shocked beyond words to see the SANDESHKHALI STING VIDEO. Every citizen must witness the BANGLA BIRODHI @BJP4India‘s ORCHESTRATED attempt to DEFAME AND MALIGN WB for their petty political ends. This abhorrent act epitomizes the GROSSEST ABUSE OF POWER in history. SHAME!"he posted on "X". 

During a press conference on Saturday evening, he said that the Sandeshkhali chaos was a "conspiracy" that was "hatched from Delhi to "defame Bengal for no reason." "We have been saying from day 1 that this conspiracy was hatched from Delhi just to defame Bengal for no reason...I can understand that BJP is fighting against TMC but...you can continue fighting without defaming the 10 crore people of the state. Now since things are clear and this information is out in the public domain, I think we should leave it to the judgement and wisdom of the people to decide. I am sure people will give a befitting reply to BJP," said Abhishek Banerjee. 

In the viral video shared by a YouTube account by the name of Williams-xy8yo, Kayal is heard alleging that BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari instructed him to concoct false rape accusations to incite public outrage. He stated that Subhendu Adhikari facilitated the scheme with financial support and mobile phones. Kayal's remarks suggested that a coordinated effort was made to fabricate charges and mobilize public sentiment against Trinamool Congress leaders. Kayal also discussed the procurement of weapons, indicating a calculated strategy to escalate tensions in Sandeshkhali was formulated. He mentioned the need for pistols and cartridges, outlining plans for their distribution and utilization in the sting operation. 

The video further shows Kayal saying that Rekha Patra, who is also tbe BJP candidate from the Basirhat constituency, was paid Rs. 2000 for levelling charges of rape. However, Patra dismissed the charges, and said that the video was fabricated by Trinamool Congress. "Gangadhar Kayal was forced by Trinamool Congress to say such things, this is a conspiracy hatched by TMC," she said. 

In a statement given to a news channel, Kayal had initially admitted that the footage featured his voice and image but claimed that the entire operation was planned. He asserted that he merely responded to questions posed by an unidentified individual. However, soon after he dismissed being in the video and alleged that Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Avishek Banerjee and IPAC used "high-end technology to fabricate a video and tarnish his image." He also wrote a letter to the CBI urging the central agency to take action against TMC and IPAC. 

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari responded to the allegations levelled against him, dismissed them and then asserted that in the end, "truth prevails." "The truth can be twisted and a misleading version can be circulated. However it's shelf life is very very short. Ultimately, Truth prevails. Next time, keep it in mind, Koyla Bhaipo, " posted Adhikari on social media platform "X".

Back in January, Enforcement Directorate officials who were enroute to raid the residence of now suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan were attacked by his supporters. Soon after, the people, especially the women of the village brandishing sticks and sickles hit the streets, levelling charges of sexual abuse against TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his accomplices Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar. Allegations of rape surfaced against Sheikh Shahjahan, and after being at large, he was arrested by the Bengal Police and handed over to the CBI. 

A massive political row had emerged over the Sandeshkhali issue, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders raking it up in their poll campaign, taking a dig at Trinamool Congress ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.