BJP's Samik Bhattacharya counters Mamata's migrant harassment claims, cites Tamil Nadu's ID checks uncovering fake Bengal documents
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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that migrant labourers are being detained, confined, and harassed in several BJP-ruled states. Responding to the claims, newly elected BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya pointed out that identity checks on migrant workers are being conducted in Tamil Nadu , a non-BJP-ruled state, where several Bangladeshi nationals with fake identity cards have been found."Tamil Nadu is a non-BJP-ruled state, and identity cards are being checked regularly. Migrant workers with fake identity cards from Siliguri and Barasat in Bengal have been identified," Bhattacharya said.On July 3, West Bengal Chief Secretary wrote a letter to his Odisha counterpart, Manoj Ahuja, expressing concern about the continued 'harassment' faced by migrant labourers from West Bengal in Odisha.'I write to you with deep anguish and serious concern regarding the continuing harassment faced by people from West Bengal who have migrated to various parts of Odisha for livelihood. These individuals, including daily wage earners, rickshaw pullers, domestic workers, and long-settled families, have contributed meaningfully to Odisha's workforce and socio-economic fabric,' Pant wrote in the letter.Prior to that, around 300–400 migrant workers from Bengal were rescued and released from Rajasthan in June.With less than a year to go for the 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal, the BJP announced Samik Bhattacharya as its new West Bengal president.Bhattacharya, after taking over as state president on Thursday, said that under West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's regime, the state has returned to the dark chapters of Bengal's history in 1946 in terms of women's safety.Meanwhile, former Union Minister and BJP's chief election officer Ravi Shankar Prasad , who was in Kolkata to make the announcement, slammed Mamata Banerjee over the recent South Kolkata law college rape case, lack of women's safety, infiltration, and vote-bank politics in Bengal.Giving a message of communal harmony, Bhattacharya, after receiving the new post, said during a felicitation ceremony on Thursday, 'BJP's fight is not against minorities. We want to witness a Bengal where Durga Puja and Muharram rallies will be celebrated together.'Bhattacharya, the 61-year-old BJP leader and a veteran known for his oratorical skills, is a Rajya Sabha MP. He had been part of the delegation that visited Pahalgam after the terror attack incident.Bhattacharya recollected how he started his journey as a party worker in South Howrah several decades ago and became the state president today. 'It took me several minutes to sink in that I will be the new Bengal president of BJP,' Bhattacharya said.Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed the Mamata Banerjee government over the law college rape case. Prasad said, 'It was a shame on the state government.''Mamata Banerjee is responsible for large-scale infiltration in Bengal. Banerjee has kept the gate open. When will the door close?' Prasad questioned. He also criticised vote-bank politics, infiltration, loot, and the recent incident of violence in Murshidabad.Prasad said this would only change when power at the helm changes. 'With Bengali 'asmita', in the coming days, a change will be witnessed in Bengal,' Prasad said.Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said he would extend full support and that the party would ensure the removal of the Mamata Banerjee government in 2026.Outgoing state president Sukanta Majumdar also said that the state is set to witness a change of power in 2026, and all will fight together.
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