West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar claimed on Saturday that Kolkata Police imposed Section 144 of CrPC in Central Kolkata to disrupt Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally scheduled for May 28 and to instill fear in the populace.
Majumdar remarked, “Kolkata police have clamped section 144 and said that it’s routine. I think it has been implemented to hamper the Prime Minister’s rally and to induce fear in the people.”
He emphasized that the PM’s roadshow will be historic, with an estimated attendance of around 2 lakh people. “On May 28, the PM will have a historical roadshow in Kolkata. Bengal’s culture will be presented there. We are getting reports that approx 2 lakh people will attend the rally,” Majumdar said.
The Kolkata Police clarified on Friday that the May 22 order imposing Section 144 of CrPC in a specific area of Central Kolkata was a routine measure, not affecting the entire city. This response came after the BJP accused the police of imposing the section to hinder participation in the PM’s roadshow.
Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur criticized the move, posting on X, “A desperate Mamata Banerjee imposing prohibitory order all across Kolkata to prevent people of West Bengal from attending the meeting of PM Shri Narendra Modi on May 28, is a clear sign of the INDI alliance having conceded defeat and conspiring somehow to disrupt the electoral process. Where are Rahul Gandhi and the pretenders of the ‘Save Constitution’ gang who beat their chest? INDI gang is going to be permanently wiped away. Do you think such antics will stop the Modi wave?”
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya echoed this sentiment, stating, “A scared Mamata Banerjee has ordered Kolkata Police to impose Section 144 for a period of 60 days starting from 28th May 2024 to 26th July 2024. The greater Kolkata region is to poll on 1st Jun and Prime Minister Modi is to hold a roadshow in the city on 28th May. Aware of her slipping political capital in the Kolkata region, Mamata Banerjee is doing what she does best – hiding behind Kolkata Police.”
In response, Kolkata Police urged against spreading false information, posting on X, “Kolkata Police issues 144 Cr PC order in vicinity of Dalhousie and Victoria house on regular basis. This is nothing new and such orders are renewed every two months. Copies of previous orders attached. So please refrain from spreading misleading information.”