Lok Sabha elections 2019: ‘Will build new Vidyasagar statue at same spot’, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that “Trinamool goons” destroyed the statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in Kolkata during BJP chief Amit Shah’s rally. He promised to build a new statue at the same spot.

“We saw hooliganism by TMC workers again during Bhai Amit Shah’s roadshow in Kolkata, they vandalized Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s statue. We are committed to Vidyasagar’s vision and will install his grand statue at the same spot,” PM Modi said at a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Mau.

A statue of renowned Bengal reformer, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, was destroyed and a college named after him ransacked in the violence on Tuesday. Both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress leaders have blamed on each other.

 Watch | PM Modi vows new Vidyasagar’s statue at the same spot in Kolkata

Trinamool Congress spokesperson Derek O’ Brien reacted with a tweet calling PM Modi “a liar”.

BJP boss Amit Shah had accused the Trinamool of orchestrating violence during his Kolkata roadshow. He presented several photographs to the media to prove his point.

The Trinamool hit back calling Amit Shah a “liar” and said they have video evidence that establishes the BJP’s complicity in the violence and vandalism.

Also Read| Lok Sabha elections 2019: Campaigns curbed after fierce Bengal showdown

The Election Commission has cut short campaigning for the last round of voting in West Bengal after the violence. The poll panel announced that campaigning in nine Bengal seats will end at 10 pm Thursday, the election commission announced on Wednesday evening, inviting allegations of being “unethical and politically biased.”