KOLKATA: The Trinamool Congress-BJP war in West Bengal, which intensified after arrests of two TMC MPs, is brutal and unrelenting without leaving an inch space to the rival. Based on a complaint by
Trinamool Congress MLA from Karimpur, party spokesperson and ex-banker Mahua Moitra, a case under Section 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) has been booked against BJP MP from Asansol and one of the party’s tallest leader in Bengal, Babul Supriyo.
In response, the singer-turned BJP MP has sent legal notices to Mahua Moitra besides arrested MP Tapas Pal and Trinamool MP Sougata Roy who alleged Babul’s links with the Rs 15,000-crore Rose Valley scam. Babul demanded apology from the trio within a week or threatened to file defamation case against them in Tis Hazaari court in Delhi.
Sources revealed that Mahua Moitra, in her statement, said that during a TV programme, the BJP MP had tried to make fun of her name by connecting it with a local drink. “Mahua, are you drunk on Mahua?” the ex-banker claimed Babul had told her. Mahua’s statement has been recorded by the magistrate as well.
Mahua is the name of a sacred drink of Adivasis in Jangalmahal area of West Bengal. It is made from the nectar of wild fruit ‘Muhul’ and drunk not only in social occasions and gatherings but also after a hard day’s work.
Babul has accepted to the statement which he said was given in response to allegations being made against him. “At a TV show, she alleged that I had deposited crores of rupees in foreign banks to which I said in English, ‘Mahua, are you on Mahua’? This she says is insult to her modesty,” he told mediapersons.