Odisha BJP hits out at Mamata Banerjee over Durgapur incident, demands Saugata Roy’s resignation

Reacting sharply to the recent gangrape of an Odia medical student in neighbouring West Bengal’s Durgapur, Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal launched a scathing attack on Tuesday on chief minister Mamata Banerjee, questioning her government’s failure to ensure women's safety in the state.

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Samal stated that Mamata Banerjee, despite being a woman chief minister, has been unable to provide even basic security to women. “She has assumed power just for namesake” he remarked, adding that law and order in West Bengal has collapsed, and Mamata “has no control over police or administrative officials.”

The Odisha BJP chief further described the Durgapur incident as extremely unfortunate and condemned Mamata’s public reaction, where she allegedly told ‘women not to venture out after the fall of night’. “Such a statement from a woman chief minister is regrettable and reinforces the breakdown of governance,” he added.

The senior BJP leader also targeted the TMC MP Saugata Roy, demanding his immediate resignation over a controversial statement he made related to the case.

Samal asserted that the typical situation in West Bengal highlights a governance vacuum and reflects how TMC leaders have ‘disappointed’ the people, especially women.

“Saugata Roy must resign immediately from his post as MP. He does not have the moral right to remain a parliamentarian. If a government cannot provide safety to women, what's the point of that kind of governance?” the Odisha BJP chief questioned.

No response was received from the TMC officials in this regard.

Worth mentioning, earlier on Sunday, Mamata made ‘controversial’ remarks regarding the recent Durgapur gangrape incident, declining to answer any media questions and instead, shifting the blame to Odisha.

When asked about the disturbing incident, Mamata firmly said, “You can ask the police. It is not me; rather, it is the police,” signalling her refusal to comment.