West Bengal: TMC lodges complaint against Suvendu Adhikari and others over Sandeshkhali 'sting video'

Suvendu Adhikar. Pic/PTI

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) filed a complaint on Thursday with the Election Commission against West Bengal's Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, and others regarding the Sandeshkhali issue.

According to ANI report, the move was executed after leaders accidentally confessed on camera that the rape accusations in Sandeshkhali were fabricated. The TMC had previously orchestrated a protest march in Trimohini, Sandeshkhali, alleging a BJP conspiracy against women in the region. The accusation stemmed from a sting operation that allegedly revealed BJP involvement in orchestrating the incident.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sternly warned the BJP against disrespecting the mothers of Bengal on Sunday, stressing that once a woman's lost self-respect is irreversible. The controversy escalated with the unfolding of a sting operation video concerning a BJP Mandal president named Gangadhar Koyal. In the video, Koyal alleges that Sandeshkhali women, who were not assaulted, were portrayed as rape victims at the direction of the Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari. Koyal claimed that Adhikari assured him protection from TMC's strongmen in exchange for his cooperation in fabricating a rape case.

However, the news channel broadcasting the sting operation did not verify the authenticity of the clip. Meanwhile, Shahjahan, a central figure in the Sandeshkhali case, is in custody for purportedly attacking an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team during a raid related to an alleged ration scam at his residence.

The women of Sandeshkhali, situated in the North 24 Parganas district, had previously protested against both the ruling TMC and Shahjahan. They accused him and his associates of committing severe atrocities, including land-grabbing and sexual assault. Multiple women came forward alleging coercion by Shahjahan and his aides.

The Sandeshkhali issue, which started as crucial evidence of abuse by the TMC on women during elections, has now distorted its narrative with the emergence of the sting operation video. With the complaint lodged, investigations are eagerly awaited by the citizens. While the video's credibility is up for questioning, it just deepens the complications of the Sandeshkhali issue, which will severely determine the course of this election.

(With inputs from ANI)