The Parliament on Wednesday strongly condemned a statement by a BJP youth wing leader announcing Rs11 lakh bounty to anyone who beheads West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, with the Centre saying the State Government was ‘free to take legal action’ against him.
The issue was raised in both the Houses by Trinamool Congress members, with all major political parties and the Government condemning the statement. In the Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the State Government can register an FIR and take action.
Raising this issue during Zero Hour in the Upper House, TMC member Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said a BJP youth activist has publicly described West Bengal Chief Minister as a ‘demon’ and announced Rs11 lakh bounty for anyone who brings the head of Chief Minister.
Roy asked the House and the Government to condemn this incident, saying “A constitutionly elected Chief Minister has been described as demon.” He said the Centre was trying to ‘unleash a reign of terror’ in West Bengal in the name of religion and other things.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said “I strongly condemn such type of statements.”
“State Government is free to take appropriate legal action on this issue. On such people action can be taken under the law. An FIR should be registered. law should take its own course,” the Deputy Chairman said, adding that “You raised this issue. Minister has condemned it...No need of discussion on that.”
In the lok Sabha too, the BJP youth leader’s bounty offer was condemned by all sides, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar saying such a statement by anyone was completely wrong and the Government strongly condemns it.
“She is an elected Chief Minister and due respect must be given to her. We strongly condemn it,” Ananth Kumar said.