Ration-rice recovered from BJP office causes stir in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri

Opposition accused TMC leaders of looting rations in West Bengal. This time, things habe turned around. Hundreds of quintals of packed rice were recovered from the BJP party office in Jalpaiguri of West Bengal.   

Jalpaiguri: Opposition leaders have repeatedly accused the ruling TMC leaders of looting rations during the lockdown in West Bengal. However, this time things have turned around. Large amounts of packed rice were recovered from the office of the BJP. 

The incident has caused a stir in the Banarhat area of Jalpaiguri district. Police have arrested two people on the suspicion of being involved in the incident. The local ration dealer has sent a show-cause letter. The local TMC leadership has demanded a thorough investigation of the incident.

Lockdown has been issued to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. Free rations for the needy and poor have been promised to be provided by both the Central and the state government. But there are allegations from various parts of West Bengal that a handful of leaders are enjoying that ration. For so long, the allegations were against the TMC. This time, BJP party leaders are under the scanner.

Reportedly, the block food inspector raided the BJP's office at Banarhat in Jalpaiguri on Thursday with the help of the police force. According to sources, the local administration had received specific information about it. Hundreds of quintals of packed rice were recovered from there.

The head of the local panchayat and the district president of the Trinamool Congress alleged the local ration dealer had given all the rice to the BJP party. As a result, common people had to return empty-handed from the ration shop. Meanwhile, BJP workers were distributing rice to the villagers and promoting the initiative saying, “The food items were sent by Narendra Modiji.” “This incident is proof that the BJP is playing politics, even in the time of epidemic,” said Nayan Dutta, block president of the TMC.

On the other hand, the BJP has denied any involvement in the incident. Party's Jalpaiguri district president said, “The house, from which the rice was recovered, was rented by the BJP during the Lok Sabha elections. Our party office was there. However, the house was later abandoned by the BJP. But the party's flags and Modiji's pictures were not removed. Someone intentionally kept those rice sacks there. It is a conspiracy against BJP.”

Amrit Ghosh, the district food officer of Jalpaiguri, assured to look into the incident.