Death of BJP worker's mother sparks row in West Bengal

KOLKATA: 86-year-old Shova Majumder, the mother of a BJP worker who was allegedly beaten by Trinamool Congress goons last month succumbed to her injuries today

With the death of the octogenarian, both the BJP and TMC have engaged in a war of words.

While condemning the death of elderly women, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed anguish on the demise of Majumdar. In a tweet, Shah said, the pain and wounds of Majumdar's family will haunt West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for long. He further mentioned that the state will fight for a violence-free society tomorrow and Bengal will fight for a safer state for the sisters and mothers.

Taking to Twitter, BJP National President JP Nadda said: "I wish peace to Nimta's old mother Shobha Majumdar's soul. She had to sacrifice her life for her son Gopal Majumdar being in BJP. BJP will always remember her sacrifice. She was Bengal's 'mother' as well as its 'daughter'. BJP will always fight for the safety of Bengal's mothers and daughters."

Meanwhile, hitting back at Shah, TMC supremo Banerjee while stating that she does not support violence against women said that the Home Minister remains mum during brutalities against women in Uttar Pradesh, a state ruled by BJP.

While mentioning that the party does not support violence against women, she said she was not aware of how the elderly woman died.

"We have never supported violence against my sisters and mothers...Amit Shah is tweeting and saying 'Bengal ka kya haal hai'. Why does he remain mum when women are attacked and brutalised in Hathras in Uttar Pradesh?"

She further pointed out that in the past few days three TMC workers were killed.

Earlier, in February the saffron party alleged that TMC members have attacked BJP worker Gopal Majumder and his mother in Nimat area in North 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal. However, the TMC claimed that the incident was fabricated.

Reportedly, TMC has denied the allegations and said that the 85-year-old woman's death has nothing to do with the altercation between her son, Gopal, and the TMC workers.

TMC leader Saugata Roy said that TMC has nothing to do with her death and that the victim lost her life due to ailment.

"I am very sorry about her death but it had nothing to with the altercation between her son, Gopal, and the TMC worker. BJP is trying to politicize the issue. We condemn politicizing the death of the old lady. She died of old age and illness," he added.

TMC MP Derek O'Brien tweeted that "the incident" was still under investigation.

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