Smriti Irani blames Trinamul for ‘targeted killings’

Ahmedabad: Union minister Smriti Irani on Saturday attacked the Trinamul Congress and accused the ruling party in West Bengal of indulging in the “targeted killings” of BJP workers.

She said that since the TMC was part of a consolidated opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was a “consolidated opposition” that was indulging in targeted killings of BJP workers.

“I want to point out to those who are silent on the issue that not only is democracy being throttled but they are indulging in targeted killings of BJP workers,” Ms Irani told reporters.

“The ruling party in West Bengal is part of a consolidated opposition which is fighting against Narendra Modi. So the consolidated opposition is indulging in targeted killings of BJP workers,” the minister said.

“This is not an issue of concern only for BJP workers but the entire nation. The West Bengal government has failed to maintain law and order and is not able to deliver justice to the families of the victims,” she said.

 The BJP has alleged that its worker, Trilochon Mahato (20), who was found hanging from a tree at Balrampur in Purulia district of West Bengal on May 30, was killed by the ruling TMC. However, the TMC has denied the allegation, trming it as “baseless”. One more person was found hanging in the same district on Saturday. Ms Irani, who was here to list the achievements during four years of the Modi government, however, parried questions on the issue of hike in fuel prices.

To a question on whether the government proposed to reduce taxes on fuel so as to bring down its prices and curb inflation, Irani said, “I am not the petroleum minister nor the finance minster.”