Team Herald
PANJIM: Ahead of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s maiden visit to poll-bound Goa, several posters and hoardings with her face were vandalized and defaced across the State.
In an overnight act, several TMC hoardings and billboards were pulled down, destroyed, and Banerjee’s face on the banners was smeared with ink.
Interestingly, this comes a day after TMC Goa unit released a controversial cartoon showing Banerjee crushing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant under her feet. The cartoon that was shared with the text “HATERS BEWARE ! SHE IS COMING”, was later withdrawn following objection raised by State BJP unit.
Meanwhile, the TMC has blamed Goa BJP unit for the action. TMC National Vice-President Luizinho Faleiro said that the act of BJP is a clear indication that they are threatened by entry of TMC into Goa politics.
“It is very disturbing…the ruling party members were seen tearing the legal hoardings of the TMC just because they are threatened by the entry of TMC,” he said.
Earlier that the party had issued written statement strongly condemning the act, alleging that it amounts to “insulting a woman”.
“Goa TMC condemns this act of vandalism that amounts to insulting a woman who is the only sitting female Chief Minister in the country. Goans will definitely give a befitting response to such a vengeful Government. The latest pictures are evidence of how the BJP has not just vandalised Goa TMC branding but has done so at the cost of Goans,” a press release by Goa TMC stated.
“While defacing Mamata Banerjee’s face in hoardings is in itself a shameful act, what’s more, alarming is how the BJP, drunk on power, is destroying local businesses. They forget that in all such contracts it is the liability of the businessmen or the vendor to replace any damaged hoarding with their own money. So, clearly, the BJP is not just spreading hate but is also attacking the livelihood of hundreds of fellow Goans by destroying their business. Such acts are an attack on the fearless atmosphere for business,” the party said further.
