The attack on National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials at Bhupatinagar in West Bengal on Saturday turned into a major political issue ahead of the Lok Sabha election, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleging that Central agencies face attacks in the State as the ruling Trinamool Congress wants to protect its corrupt leaders.
“The TMC wants its corrupt leaders and extortionists to get a free licence for terror. That is why, when Central agencies arrive here, then the TMC indulges in attack. The TMC is a party that wants to trample the rule of law and constitutional norms,” Mr. Modi said, addressing a public meeting in Jalpaiguri district. Referring to the violence at Sandeshkhali, the PM said that the courts have to intervene in every issue.
Earlier in the day, the Trinamool Congress held a press conference alleging that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jitendra Tiwari met an NIA official on March 26 after the Lok Sabha elections were announced. Trinamool leaders have been alleging that the NIA investigation in the Bhupatinagar blast of 2022 was an attempt to target its party leaders before the Lok Sabha election.
