10 May 2024: In a recent twist to the Sandeshkhali controversy in West Bengal, a woman has emerged with startling allegations, claiming that individuals associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coerced her into signing a blank sheet of paper. This blank document, she alleges, was later manipulated to fabricate a false rape complaint against her, escalating the ongoing political feud between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP as elections loom.
According to statements provided by a resident of Sandeshkhali, the woman, identified as Piyali, reportedly urged locals to voice their grievances during a visit by the National Commission for Women. However, the resident clarified that Piyali’s complaint pertained solely to the non-receipt of wages under a government job scheme, vehemently denying any allegations of rape. The resident further alleged that Piyali deceived them into signing a blank document, which was subsequently exploited to implicate her in a false rape case involving local Trinamool leaders.
The woman’s daughters-in-law have condemned Piyali as an outsider who fabricated stories to tarnish the reputation of Sandeshkhali. They accused her of having ties with the BJP and demanded accountability for disseminating falsehoods and ensnaring innocent individuals. Additionally, the family disclosed receiving threats subsequent to exposing Piyali’s deceptive tactics.
Both the TMC and the BJP have seized upon this development to advance their respective narratives. The TMC, previously under scrutiny due to allegations against its local leaders, has spotlighted these new accusations to deflect attention and has accused the BJP of orchestrating a smear campaign against them.
Trinamool Member of Parliament, Sushmita Dev, condemned what she described as BJP’s intimidation tactics against the courageous women from Sandeshkhali who dared to speak out. In response, the BJP dismissed these allegations as a desperate attempt at damage control by the Trinamool, asserting that the truth cannot be concealed indefinitely.
The Trinamool Congress has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission, targeting several BJP figures, including Suvendu Adhikari, in connection with the fabrication of accusations in the Sandeshkhali incident.
Sandeshkhali, previously a lesser-known area, gained prominence when locals accused Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates of misconduct. Shahjahan’s subsequent arrest and the emergence of a video implicating a local BJP leader have further complicated this contentious issue.
As the political landscape in West Bengal remains tense ahead of the elections, the allegations of coercion in Sandeshkhali have added another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation, setting the stage for heightened political maneuvering in the days to come.
