'Bengal is not Uttar Pradesh': Mamata Banerjee lashes out at Dilip Ghosh over controversial 'shot like dog' remark

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday lashed out at Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh over his controversial 'shot like dogs' comment. After Ghosh on Sunday sparked controversies by threatening to shoot down 'like dogs' those who damaged public property in the state, the West Bengal Chief Minister said that 'Bengal is not Uttar Pradesh.' Without directly naming him the BJP leader, Mamata said that it is shameful that firing was being promoted, and that if something untoward happened the next day, he will be equally responsible.

"It is shameful. How can you say this? It's a shame to even take his name. You're promoting firing. This isn't UP. Here firing won't happen. Understand that if tomorrow something untoward happens, you will be equally responsible. You want to kill people for protesting?" ANI quoted Mamata Banerjee as having said.

However, not everyone from the TMC supremo's party is as restrained in their condemnation. Anubrata Mondal, who is known for his frequent off-the-cuff remarks that rile up controversies of their own, said on Monday that the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre must shoot Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh dead because, he alleged, Ghosh himself has destroyed government property.

"The central government should shoot Dilip Ghosh dead," said Birbhum TMC chief Anubrata Mondal on Monday after attending an event in Nanur, "It is he who has destroyed government property first."

However, a bit more restrained in his reaction was Abhishek Banerjee, Lok Sabha MP and WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew. On Monday, Banerjee said, "Dilip Ghosh should let us all know if his statements are personal or the views of the party."

For context, Dilip Ghosh, while addressing a public gathering in Nadia on Sunday, had said, "Uttar Pradesh government had not only booked such people but also lathi-charged and shot them like dogs. Similarly, we will also shoot, lathi-charge and book whoever destroys public property in the state."

Dilip Ghosh, West Bengal BJP President: Didi's (Mamata Banerjee) police didn't take action against the people who destroyed public properties as they are her voters. Our govt in UP, Assam and Karnataka has shot these people like dogs. (12.1.2020) pic.twitter.com/iJegmRHXpx

— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2020

Ghosh had raised questions on the identity of those who were destroying government property built on taxpayers' money.

However, Union Minister of State (MoS) Babul Supriyo on Monday also took a dig at Dilip Ghosh by saying that the remark was 'very irresponsible of Dilip da'.

"BJP, as a party, has nothing to do with what a Dilip Ghosh may have said. It is a figment of his imagination and the BJP governments in UP and Assam have never ever resorted to shooting people for whatever reason whatsoever. Very irresponsible of Dilip da to have said what he said," wrote Babul Supriyo in a post from his official handle on Twitter.

After controversy sparked over these comments, MoS Babul Supriyo immediately took to damage control, saying that BJP governments in UP and Assam have 'never ever' resorted to shooting people for 'whatever reason whatsoever [sic]'.