Those who oppose rath yatra will be crushed: West Bengal BJP leader Locket Chatterjee

Locket Chatterjee is the BJP's West Bengal Mahila Morcha president.

KOLKATA: Locket Chatterjee, a senior West Bengal BJP leader, is facing criticism for saying that her party will hold 'rath yatras' to ''save democracy'' in the Trinamool Congress-ruled state and those who oppose it will face severe consequences. 

Chatterjee has warned that those trying to stop the party's scheduled 'rath yatra' in the state "will be crushed under the wheels of the chariot".

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Chatterjee, who is BJP's West Bengal Mahila Morcha president, said that the 'rath yatra' is being organised to restore democracy in the state.

"The main purpose of the 'rath yatra' is to restore democracy in West Bengal. We have said this earlier too that the heads of those who try to stop the 'rath yatra' will get crushed under the wheels of the chariot," Chatterjee said after attending a party meet at Malda district.

We will hold Rath Yatras to save democracy in West Bengal. Nobody can stop it and if anyone tries to stop it then they will be crushed under the wheels of the chariot: Locket Chatterjee, BJP State Mahila Morcha President pic.twitter.com/Jjr9BvWimb

— ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

It may be recalled that BJP president Amit Shah is set to kick off three 'rath yatras' with an aim to cover all 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal beginning December 5, 7 and 9.

After the conclusion of the 'yatra', the BJP will hold a massive rally in Kolkata which is also likely to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chatterjee's comments have drawn a sharp response from the ruling TMC, which said that the BJP leaders were making provocative statements to disturb peace and stability in the state.

"The BJP's main aim is to push its communal agenda in Bengal. That is why they are making these provocative comments. But the people of Bengal will defeat the divisive politics of the BJP," TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said.