Kolkata, May 15: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the violence that erupted during Amit Shah's roadshow in Kolkata on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference, senior TMC leader Derek O'Brien alleged that the BJP brought goons in Kolkata from outside that led to violence. O'Brien also said TMC will move to the Election Commission with video evidence to prove BJP workers' hand in the vandalisation of Vidyasagar's bust.

"Anybody can come and do a procession, but what were the outsiders doing Who is this fellow Tajinder Bagga? Who is he? He was arrested, is he not the same guy who slapped somebody in Delhi? You have taken in your outsider goons," O'Brien told reporters. "Streets of Kolkata are tinged with shock and anger. What happened yesterday hurt Bengali pride," the TMC leader added. Tajinder Bagga Arrested by West Bengal Police Following Violence at Amit Shah's Kolkata Roadshow.

O'Brien said they have a video clip of the incident to prove his party's innocence. "We will meet the Election Commission and submit the video footage," he said. Clashes broke out between the members of TMC students' union and BJP supporters, who participated in Shah's roadshow, outside the Calcutta University campus and the Vidyasagar College. Three bikes were set ablaze and a few people from both sides sustained injuries.

Derek O'Brien's press conference:

A group of saffron party activists allegedly resorted to vandalism inside the Vidyasagar College campus and destroyed a bust of Vidyasagar. Earlier today, Shah accused TMC goons of vandalising the statue of Vidyasagar. "Mamata Banerjee claims that the BJP is doing it. I want to tell her, we are fighting in every state in the nation, unlike you on 42 seats in West Bengal. Violence didn't take place anywhere but Bengal which proves that TMC is responsible for it," Shah told reporters at a press conference.

The BJP chief said three attacks took place during his roadshow but the state police remained mere spectators. He also accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of conspiring to vandalise Vidyasagar's statue in an effort to gain sympathy.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 15, 2019 04:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).