'CM should have gone to Murshidabad earlier': Bengal BJP leader Dilip Ghosh ahead of Mamata Banerjee's visit

NEW DELHI: BJP leader Dilip Ghosh criticized West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for her delayed visit to violence-hit Murshidabad, where communal clashes in April resulted in two deaths, multiple injuries, and property damage. The violence erupted during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act on April 11, forcing thousands to flee their homes.The delay in Banerjee's visit has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who question her priorities and handling of the situation."Chief minister Mamata Banerjee should have gone to Murshidabad earlier. Why she did not go? She called the Imams and conducted a meeting and then went to attend temple inauguration. But when Hindus were suffering and this atrocity takes place repeatedly on Hindus in Murshidabad and Malda. They have to vacate their houses. Their property are burnt. Mamata Banerjee has always remained silent. She is going so late now all the evidence are removed. After 3 to 4 days since violence took place the repairing had started.""State government officials started repairing houses and temple so that no one could know that such an incident occurred. Mamata Banerjee has already dismissed such violence," Ghosh added.West Bengal Agriculture minister Shobandeb Chatterjee defended the chief minister's delayed visit, citing unrest in the area."Our leader, Mamata Banerjee, has been saying this since day one that it has been very difficult for leaders to go to that area. Let the police do their job...There is peace there now, let them live in peace...What needs to be done is being done...she is going to tell everyone how they can live together," Chatterjee said.BJP MP Tarun Chugh accused the West Bengal government of protecting rioters and criticized its silence on the matter."The West Bengal government's silence on the premeditated and planned attack on Hindus in Murshidabad is proof that Mamata Banerjee's government has given shelter to the rioters," said Chugh.Chugh further criticized Banerjee's leadership, stating, "Mamata Banerjee has ruined and disgraced Bengal with her atrocities and misrule... This (Murshidabad violence) is a blot on humanity. Her politics of appeasement have given a free hand to criminals in the state."The National Commission for Women has expressed serious concern over the communal violence in Murshidabad and Malda districts, where women and girls reportedly faced sexual violence, physical assault, and rape threats.