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In a significant twist to the ongoing Sandeshkhali row, a woman has come forward with allegations that individuals associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coerced her into signing a blank document, which was subsequently utilized to fabricate a false rape complaint in her name.
This development has further escalated the political mudslinging between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP, with each party leveling accusations of manipulation and deceit. The BJP has been actively exploiting the Sandeshkhali issue as a campaign strategy in the ongoing election season.
The woman, a resident of Sandeshkhali, recounted her experience to the media, stating that on the day a team from the National Commission for Women visited the island, a woman named Piyali approached her and other women, urging them to share their grievances. The woman asserted that she had merely expressed concerns regarding unpaid wages under the 100-day job scheme and had no other complaints, particularly regarding any instances of rape.
Shockingly, she later discovered that her name had been included in a list of women who had alleged rape by local Trinamool leaders. The woman's daughters-in-law have vehemently denounced Piyali's actions, accusing her of defaming Sandeshkhali and entrapping innocent individuals.
The Trinamool Congress, which has been facing intense scrutiny following allegations of rape, land grabbing, and extortion against its local leaders, has seized upon the woman's allegations as an opportunity to counterattack the BJP. The party has accused the BJP of orchestrating a campaign of fabricated stories to tarnish the ruling party's reputation for political gain.
Trinamool MP Sushmita Dev has denounced the BJP's alleged intimidation tactics against the women of Sandeshkhali, questioning how long the party will continue to engage in deception and exploit the dignity of women for political greed.
The BJP has retaliated by dismissing Trinamool's allegations as a belated attempt at damage control. Party spokesperson Priyanka Tibrewal has asserted that the Trinamool's response is futile, as the damage has already been done. She has emphasized the need for accountability and has questioned why the Trinamool remained silent for several months before attempting to shift the blame.
The Trinamool Congress has responded by filing a complaint with the Election Commission against several BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, for allegedly fabricating allegations in the Sandeshkhali matter.
The Sandeshkhali row has garnered significant media attention, with the nondescript island in North 24 Parganas becoming a focal point of political contention. The allegations and counter-allegations have further fueled the ongoing political battle between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.
In a separate incident that has added further complexity to the situation, a video of a local BJP leader, Gangadhar Koyal, has emerged, in which he appears to admit that no rapes or sexual harassment took place in Sandeshkhali and that women were persuaded to file such complaints at the behest of Mr. Adhikari.
The BJP and the leader featured in the video have disputed its authenticity, claiming that the clip has been doctored and his voice has been manipulated. A police complaint has reportedly been filed in connection with the matter.
Source: "Made To Sign Blank Paper": Sandeshkhali Woman Alleges Fake Rape Complaint