The Election Commission has asked the BJP leader to furnish a reply in 24 hours. (Representational)
Kolkata:
Controversy erupted in Bengal’s Birbhum area, after the BJP’s district president, Dhruva Saha, said people raising “Pakistan zindabad” slogans “will face (police) encounter”, once the BJP assumes power in the state, following which the Election Commission issued a showcause notice to the party leader.
The Election Commission has asked him to furnish a reply in 24 hours.
A video clip of Mr Saha’s speech, delivered during an election campaign on Sunday in Nanoor, surfaced on social media platforms.
“On May 2, the BJP will assume power in West Bengal. Those who have betrayed the country, raised ‘Pakistan zindabad’ slogans will definitely face (police) encounter after May 2,” Mr Saha allegedly said.
Earlier in March, a local Birbhum leader, surrounded by supporters who held a TMC poster, was heard stating “four Pakistan can be created if India’s 30 per cent Muslims unite.”
The Trinamool, however, had distanced itself from the comment, stating that Sheikh Alam, seen in the video, is not a member of the TMC, and the party doesn’t support what he said.
Nanoor in Birbhum district, where the BJP has fielded Tarak Saha, is scheduled to go to polls on April 29, during the eighth phase of the ongoing assembly elections in West Bengal.