Bhubaneswar: Ministers in the Odisha government on Thursday reacted sharply to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Cuttack is burning’ statement.
“Law and order in West Bengal is in complete disarray. Instead of commenting on Odisha, Mamata should try and improve the situation in her own state,” Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan told reporters.
Harichandan termed the violence in Cuttack, which was contained through 48-hour internet shutdown and 36-hour curfew, as an aberration. “The government tactfully handled the situation and the city is calm as before. It is unfortunate that the Bengal CM is trying to provoke the peaceful lot and defame Odisha. She has always targeted Odisha’s culture and legacy,” he said.
He further stated that people of Odisha did not expect such comments from the Bengal CM and advised her to reflect on her own shortcomings before pointing fingers at others. “People of Odisha have faith in their government,” he added.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra went a step ahead and accused Mamata of encouraging riots in West Bengal. “She is making such provocative and irresponsible statements despite having no clue about the situation in Cuttack,” he said.
State BJP president Manmohan Samal also said that people are aware of the ongoings in Bengal and Mamata should be concerned about them. “Odisha is a peaceful state,” he added.
What Did Mamata Say?
Speaking to reporters at the airport after her visit to flood-affected area on Wednesday, Mamata targeted the BJP government in Odisha and at the Centre over violence in Cuttack. “Cuttack is also burning today. The communal riots were the handiwork of the BJP, the Bajrang Dal. I am not fully aware of this drama going on there… They (BJP) will finish off the country. I have seen many governments, but never such an arrogant and dictatorial one. Today they are in power, tomorrow they may not be. Nothing is permanent,” she said.
She further added, “All this chaos within 15 days — this is Amit Shah’s doing. He acts as though he’s the acting prime minister. The Prime Minister knows everything, but he should not always trust Amit Shah. One day, he’ll become your Mir Jafar.”
Mir Jafar was a military general and he had allegedly betrayed Siraj ud-Daulah and helped the East India Company in the Battle of Plassey in June 1757.