BJP alleges Kishor went to Kolkata in lockdown

April 23, 2020 22:45

The Bihar BJP accused election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor of travelling to Kolkata secretly in a cargo plane, dodging the lockdown, at the instance of his current benefactor and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Kishor, who earlier worked with the BJP but turned into its strident critic of late, reacted with indignation, saying he would retire from public life if the allegations were proven true.

He also asserted that those levelling the allegation against him should apologise.

In a statement, state BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand asked by whose permission did Kishor, who is neither a government official nor a crew member of any air carrier nor a medical personnel, travel to Kolkata.

"Why must this travel not be considered illegal in view of the lockdown?" he asked.

"We demand that the documents which have facilitated his travel, secretly in a cargo plane dodging the lockdown, be made public. Else we would put pressure on the Airport Authority of India and the Civil Aviation Ministry to order an inquiry into the episode," Anand added.

He also alleged that Banerjee, who also heads the ruling TMC in West Bengal, has been a failure in tackling the coronavirus crisis and incapable of even optimally utilising the funds and resources provided by the Centre.

Anand said she had summoned Kishor for an image makeover.

-- PTI

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