BJP leader Dilip Ghosh threatens women protesters during road inauguration
What's the story
Dilip Ghosh, a senior BJP leader in West Bengal, has landed himself in a controversy after he threatened women protesters at a recent road inauguration. A row began on Friday when Ghosh was surrounded by local women at the inauguration of a new road in Kharagpur's Ward 6. The former MP's aggressive reply to their queries regarding his absence during his tenure as an MP has invited widespread criticism from the ruling Trinamool Congress party.
Confrontation details
Ghosh's aggressive response to protesters
The confrontation escalated when one of the women questioned Ghosh about his absence during his tenure as an MP. "Where were you all this time? We didn't see you even for a day when you were an MP. Now, after our councilor (Pradip Sarkar of the Trinamool) has built the road, you're here?" she asked. In response, Ghosh aggressively labeled them as Trinamool supporters and claimed ownership over the funding for the road construction.
Threats exchanged
Escalation of the confrontation
As the argument escalated, Ghosh threatened the women, "Don't scream. I will choke you." He also alleged that he had funded the construction of the road from his MPLAD fund when he was a parliamentarian. The matter escalated so much that local police had to intervene after Ghosh's car was surrounded by protesters and they tried to damage it.
Political fallout
Ghosh accuses Trinamool of orchestrating the protest
Subsequently, Ghosh accused TMC of organizing the protest. "These are opportunists barking for ₹500 (Lakshmir Bhandar - a government scheme for women). Those who bark, Dilip Ghosh will bring up their father," he said. In an online post, he said the road was constructed at ₹2.6L and would ease living conditions for locals of low-lying areas.
Party response
Trinamool Congress condemns Ghosh's behavior
Pradip Sarkar, Trinamool councilor and former Kharagpur MLA condemned Ghosh's behavior. He said the language used by Ghosh was unbecoming of a former MP, and wondered why he had attended the inauguration when he was no longer an MP. "He went there and lost his temper. He disrespected the women by bringing up their fathers... He should apologize," Sarkar said, threatening protests in Kharagpur if he didn't.