Day after TMC-BJP clash, Yogi Adityanath's Kolkata rally cancelled

A day after clashes between supporters of the Trinamool Congress and the BJP in Kolkata, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's rally in the city, scheduled for Wednesday, was cancelled. 

The BJP claimed that the rally was cancelled after the stage in Phool Bagan area of Kolkata was vandalised and could not be rebuilt in time. 

"When the stage was being set up yesterday, labourers working on it were beaten up and scared away; the stage was vandalised. The public meeting was scheduled for 2 pm today, stage couldn't be repaired. So we had to cancel it," Rahul Sinha, BJP's Kolkata North candidate, said. 

Yogi, however, addressed a rally in Barasat where he slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly fanning violence during Amit Shah's roadshow on Tuesday, saying it 'was a murder of democracy.'

"It was a murder of democracy. This move by goons will end the TMC government in the state. In a few days, TMC goons will be searching for shelters to hide their faces. Mamata Banerjee is frustrated which is why she is taking such steps," he said.

He also alleged that the Chief Minister is trying to block the term 'Ram' in the state and added: "She is emboldening goons."

Yogi also rakes up the restrictions imposed on Durga Puja by the government last year.

"In whole country, Durga Puja and Muharram fell on same day, in UP officers asked me, should we change the timing of puja? I said, the timing of the puja won't be changed, if you want to change the timing, change the timing of Muharram procession," he said. 

"The whole country including Uttar Pradesh observed Durga pooja and Muharram together. No violence took place in my state as I had given prior warning to people. Why could not West Bengal do the same? TMC government here is very undemocratic. I am sure that after May 23, a nationalist government will be formed and will rule West Bengal," he added. 

Adityanath's statement came just days before nine seats are scheduled to go to polls in West Bengal on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. 

(With ANI inputs)