Criticising Bengali megastar and Trinamool Congress candidate Dev for making "insensitive comments about rape", the Congress Monday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of fielding celebrities as candidates to defraud people.Ridiculing Banerjee's actor-candidates Dev and Moon Moon Sen, state Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the decision to field celebrities as candidates is indicative of the Trinamool supremo's immaturity and insensitivity."His (Dev) comments are indicative of his insensitivity and is highly condemnable... the move to nominate celebrities shows the immaturity and insensitivity of the Trinamool chief," Chowdhury told media persons here.
The actor-turned-politician in an interview to a Bengali tabloid likened the frenzy around the polls to "being raped", saying "either you enjoy it or you can shout".Chowdhury also took a jibe at Sen who during her maiden address at her constituency Bankura Sunday had introduced herself as the daughter of legendary Bengali actress Suchitra Sen."She did not shy away from dragging her late mother to introduce herself and even said it was actually her mother who was contesting through her. This shows the insensitivity of the candidates."In fact, the Trinamool has intentionally fielded them to defraud the people, it knows it cannot win by fielding political personalities," said the Berhampore MP.
The Congress strongman also attacked the Banerjee government for denying grounds for party vice president Rahul Gandhi's Tuesday meeting in the city."She owes her political career to Rajiv Gandhi yet she has the audacity to deny permission for using grounds for a meeting of his son (Rahul)," added Chowdhury."Congress is not dead in Bengal. Those who are calling it a mere signboard would realise soon. The sense of disillusionment against the Trinamool will only grow," said Chowdhury adding that around 500 Trinamool workers and activists joined his party during the day.