2.84 crore for 7 train, kolkata BJP rally
The BJP has hired seven trains to bring its party members and supporters from different parts of West Bengal to join ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ (march to secretariat) on September 13. A rally is to be taken out in protest against the alleged corrupt practices of the TMC government.
President of the party, Rahul Sinha, claimed that the TMC-run administration was “trying to create hurdles in the way” of supporters willing to come to the city to join the rally.
“Our supporters were prevented from boarding a special train from Alipurduar to Sealdah on Monday evening and even lathi-charged by state police. The train, however, left later with our activists and supporters,” Mr Sinha said.
Seven trains, three from north Bengal and four from the south. Which will reach will reach Sealdah and Santragachhi, “overcoming opposition from the police and ruling party cadres”, the BJP leader said. No BJP leader, when approached, disclosed the amount spent on hiring the trains.
Jago Bangla’ has claimed ₹ 2.84 crores has been spent on hiring the trains, questioning the source of such funds.
Joy Prakash Majumdar, a spokesperson of the ruling party, said, “The BJP has taken crores of rupees from businessmen who escaped the country, and is probably using that money for its programmes. To my knowledge, the BJP spent around ₹ 2,000 crores in 2021 assembly polls.”
Mr Majumdar also said, “Every train has 11 bogies and 700 to 800 seats. That means seven trains can bring 5,000-5,500 people. The BJP is spending ₹ 3,000-4,000 for everyone boarding the special train.”
This money could have been used to help people financially in the post-COVID situation.
