The BJP has demanded action against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee who threatened to "gouge out eyes and chop off hands" of those who dared to challenge the Trinamool Congress' administration.
"In the heart of Delhi, in Parliament and through various protests, Mamata Banerjee and the TMC have proved that if the interests of the people of Bengal are hurt, we will not leave the matter," ANI quoted Abhishek as saying.
"Those who dare to show their eyes, we will tear it out and throw it on the streets. If someone shows us their hands we will cut them off. But you have to remember that in democracy, it is the common man who will say the last word," he added, according to PTI.
Abhishek, the National President of All India Trinamool Youth Congress, youth wing of All India TMC, was addressing a party event in Basirhat area of Kolkata when he made the controversial statement.
His statement not only sparked controversy, but BJP has now demanded legal action against him. The Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded that a case be registered against Mamata's nephew for making inflammatory speeches in public.
"I think Abhishek Banerjee has been making such highly provoking speeches earlier also. There should be a case registered against him," ANI quoted BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao as saying.
"He should not indulge in any such speeches being a Member of Parliament. Threatening the people to vote for Mamata shows that she does not have believe on the work she has done and that the BJP has emerged has a competition to TMC."
The 27-year-old also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech, saying that most of the political parties in India fell "at the feet of (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi but the Trinamool Congress didn't".
"He goes around wearing suits worth Rs 15 lakh. They have no shame. (He) used to sell tea earlier, now (he) is selling the country," he added.
Abhishek's statement attracted criticism for the party as well and both BJP and CPI(M) leaders hit out at TMC over his remarks.
"The comments are the reflection of the DNA of Trinamool Congress. This is what is expected of TMC and its leaders," BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh said.
"I am not surprised by the statement. This is their ideology and mindset. Several TMC leaders had earlier spelt it out. Now Abhishek has said it," CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty noted.
