Kolkata, August 18: Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad announced on Monday his decision to apply for a licensed pistol for self-defense. This move comes in response to repeated egg-throwing attacks on party leaders allegedly by BJP workers.
Speaking to the media, the MP from Bardhaman-Durgapur stated, “Everyone has the right to self-defense. Given the current circumstances, I feel compelled to apply for a weapon license to secure my safety. I have chosen a pistol for protection. We also have the right to defend ourselves.”
On the same day, Azad visited his parliamentary constituency. While discussing various initiatives for the area, he criticized the BJP. He remarked, “They have stopped distributing eggs in schools. Now, people are being attacked with eggs. We are also obtaining pistol licenses for our safety. We are not afraid. We played cricket for India. We played for the honor of Mother India.”
He also targeted the opposition leader in the assembly, Ritabrata Banerjee, who leads a rebel faction of TMC legislators. Azad said, “We know what Ritabrata has done, what he said over the phone, and under whose pressure he acted.”
During his visit, the MP toured several locations in his constituency. He mentioned that he would hold a meeting with party members in the evening and has scheduled another event for Tuesday. He added that after Durga Puja, his party would return to the streets with a campaign.
Azad criticized the new BJP government in West Bengal, stating, “The situation in Bengal is dire. Even in Africa, such conditions do not exist. There, sea pirates roam the waters. Here, robbers and dacoits are everywhere—in the city, homes, and on the streets.”
In response to Azad’s comments about weapons, BJP’s former Durgapur MLA Chandrashekhar Banerjee remarked, “If they talk about possessing weapons, we will send them to Bihar,” referring to Azad’s neighboring state.
Following the change of government after the assembly elections, police have arrested numerous TMC leaders, former ministers, and councilors on various charges, including extortion, assault, harassment, and intimidation. In many instances, angry crowds threw eggs at these leaders as police took them away. Protesters have dubbed this act of throwing eggs as “egg therapy.”
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