Sandeshkhali ‘Sting Video’ Exposed ‘Bangla Birodhi’ BJP’s Designs To Malign Bengal, Its People: Mamata Banerjee

A purported sting operation, carried out by a local news channel, showed a person, purportedly a BJP booth president, Gangadhar Koyal, "confessing" that women who weren't violated sexually were passed off as 'rape' victims in Sandeshkhali at the behest of BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari.

Sandeshkhali unrest: The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal Saturday launched a blistering attack on the BJP, alleging that a purported ‘sting operation‘ aired by a local news channel has exposed the saffron party’s designs to malign the image of the state and its people by levelling false and trumped up charges of rape and atrocities on women in the restive Sandeshkhali enclave.

Taking to X, TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the purported Sandeshkhali “sting video” has shown “how deep the rot is within the BJP”, alleging that “Bangla-Birodhis” conspired to defame West Bengal in their blind hatred for the state’s progressive culture.

“In their hatred for Bengal’s progressive thought & culture, the Bangla-Birodhis orchestrated a conspiracy to defame our state on every possible level. Never before in the history of India has a ruling party in Delhi tried to malign an entire state and its people,” Banerjee said.

“History will witness how Bengal will rise in rage against Delhi’s conspiratorial regime & ensure their Bishorjon (they will be consigned to the waters),” she asserted.

The shocking Sandeshkhali sting shows how deep the rot is within the BJP. In their hatred for Bengal's progressive thought & culture, the Bangla-Birodhis orchestrated a conspiracy to defame our state on every possible level.

Never before in the history of India has a ruling… https://t.co/50QUParP16

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 4, 2024

The TMC’s official X handle also shared the alleged “sting video”, claiming that it has “exposed how the BJP left no stone unturned to malign Bengal”,

“From “mass rape” to “arms seizure,” every claim was BOUGHT and STAGED by none other than @SuvenduWB People won’t forgive these Bangla-Birodhis. Bengal’s mothers & sisters shall avenge this!,” the party posted on X.

BJP attempted to ‘tarnish’ Bengal’s image

Mamata’s nephew and heir apparent Abhishek Banerjee, also shared a clip from the viral video, while asserting that it highlights BJP’s attempts to tarnish the image and reputation of Bengal for “petty” political benefits.

“I am shocked beyond words to see the SANDESHKHALI STING VIDEO. Every citizen must witness the BANGLA BIRODHI BJP’s ORCHESTRATED attempt to DEFAME AND MALIGN WB for their petty political ends. This abhorrent act epitomises the GROSSEST ABUSE OF POWER in history. SHAME!,” Abhishek posted on X.

The people of Bengal will give a befitting reply to this ‘staged’ act, he asserted.

Sandeshkhali ‘Sting Operation’

A purported sting operation, carried out by a local news channel, showed a person, purportedly a BJP booth president, Gangadhar Koyal, “confessing” that women who weren’t violated sexually were passed off as ‘rape’ victims in Sandeshkhali at the behest of BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari.

In the alleged “sting video”, Koyal claims Suvendu ‘helped’ him get this done who told him that TMC’s strongmen in the area wouldn’t be arrested unless they were falsely implicated of ‘rape’.

Notably, the news channel, who aired the alleged sting operation, did not vouch for the veracity of the clip, according to news agency ANI.

BJP trashes ‘fake sting’, says clip ‘doctored’

Meanwhile, Adhikari later shared a video statement of Koyal, in which the BJP functionary claims he was “targeted” and advanced technology was used to morph his voice in the alleged sting clip.

“The truth can be twisted and a misleading version can be circulated. However it’s shelf life is very very short. Ultimately, Truth prevails. Next time, keep it in mind, Koyla Bhaipo,” Adhikari wrote on X while sharing the BJP Mandal president’s statement.

The truth can be twisted and a misleading version can be circulated. However it's shelf life is very very short.
Ultimately, Truth prevails.

Next time, keep it in mind, Koyla Bhaipo. pic.twitter.com/nccVhBe34z

— Suvendu Adhikari (Modi Ka Parivar) (@SuvenduWB) May 4, 2024

Senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha also trashed the TMC’s claims, claiming the sting video was “doctored” and alleging that the person in the clip is actually a TMC booth president, not a BJP functionary.

“They are claiming an individual, who, in reality, is a TMC booth president, as our booth chief. There is no substance in this so-called sting video. Mamata Banerjee never once visited Sandeshkhali to stand with the wronged and tortured women there,” Sinha told news agency ANI.

Sandeshkhali unrest

The Sandeshkhali enclave in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district witnessed widespread protests in February this year after allegations of rampant sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing by TMC leaders, including the prime accused, Shahjahan Sheikh, surfaced.

A large number of women in Sandeshkhali had accused TMC strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of “land-grab and sexually assaulting” them under coercion.

Following the attack on ED officials, Sheikh was on the run for 55 days before he was arrested by a special team of the West Bengal Police last month

Shahjahan, the key Sandeshkhali accused, is currently behind bars in connection with the attack on a team of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) while it was in the process of raiding his residence in connection with the alleged ration scam.

(With inputs from agencies)