Desh Bhakti” which thus far tended to be the BJP’s USP suddenly turned to be a TMC’s tool of attack with the Bengal ruling outfit on Thursday getting the Kolkata Police to register an FIR against a dozen saffron MLAs for allegedly showing disrespect to the National Anthem.
The ongoing war of words between the ruling Trinamool Congress and Opposition BJP intensified further after the lodging of the FIR with the BJP leaders taking a dig at the rulers saying “those whose names are always on ED-CBI’s investigation list for stealing public money have today filed a police complaint against us.”
In the FIR lodged in the Hare Street Police Station it was alleged that the Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari had “insulted” the National Anthem on Wednesday afternoon soon after entering the Assembly premises along with other BJP MLAs.
He entered the Assembly premises and shouted “Chor Chor” (thieves) pointing at the TMC MLAs who led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee --- during a sit-in demonstration against nonpayment of MNREGA funds by the Centre --- were singing the National Anthem, the FIR said adding the very act of doing so while the National Anthem was on amounted to insulting it.
The Chief Minister immediately drew the attention of Speaker Biman Banerjee who then summoned the Deputy Commissioner of Police and directed an FIR to be registered.
The MLAs who were implicated in the FIR are Adhikari, party Chief Whip Manoj Tigga and others, sources said.