Surprised at violence in Bengal: Sushma Swaraj

KOLKATA: Mamata Banerjee has been a victim of violence herself and yet political violence is continuing during her regime, former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said in New Delhi on Wednesday while meeting families of political violence victims from Bengal.


The family members of 23 victims are likely to next meet home minister Amit Shah. They were present at a programme, organised by India Foundation, a think tank and research organisation, where they narrated their ordeal.

“Mamata Banerjee has been a victim of political violence herself. I am surprised to see that political violence and murder is continuing during her regime,” Swaraj said.

On the plight of Bengal victims, she added: “I am surprised how can people be so brutal to cling on to power. Those who have been killed were at no fault. They joined BJP as they believed in the party’s ideology.”

Sources in Bengal BJP indicated that five of the 23 family members were likely to meet Shah.

“The victims’ families have asked for speedy justice and a CBI inquiry into the killings,” said Saptarshi Chowdhury, BJP media in-charge in Bengal.