West Bengal: TMC leader poses with gun inside government office

Photo for representational purpose. Pic/ istock

The photo of a Trinamool Congress leader holding a gun inside a government office has gone viral on social media and has invited ire from both BJP and TMC.

While the BJP has accused TMC of encouraging a culture of violence, the Trinamool has also slammed the leader and asked for an investigation to determine whether it was a real firearm or a toy.

As per a report in NDTV, Mrinalini Mandal Maity, chairman of the Old Malda Panchayat Samiti and a senior leader of TMC's Mahila Mandal in Malda district, can be seen posing with a firearm while seated on the government official's chair at the BDO office.

"It is Trinamool's culture. If a police investigation is done, they will find more than just pistols. They will find guns, bombs, and even AK-47s with these people. I am sure Mamata Banerjee has seen the picture too but she will not take any action," BJP Malda District President Gobinda Chandra Mandal said.

Trinamool Congress state General Secretary Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury said he feels that it's a real gun but the police should investigate the incident. "This is doing damage to the leader's image," he said.

In the past too, Maity has been involved in controversies. Many allegations have been leveled against her husband, including beating up a government employee.