BJP is politically depressed, says Mamata Banerjee on TMC members detention over Assam NRC row

Hours after the eight-member TMC delegation, which was planning to assess the situation post-NRC draft publication in Assam, detained at Silchar airport, party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the Centre.

Accusing the BJP-led government of manhandling her colleagues, the TMC supremo said, "These atrocities being done, aren't only being condemned, I think this is beginning of the end. They are frustrated, they are political tensed and depressed. And that's why they are showing muscle power".

Referring to the BJP's demand of introducing NRC across the country, Banerjee said, "Who are they? What significance do they have in West Bengal? Nobody knows them. They are just some hooligans. Their existence itself is in question and they will implement NRC here? I will see how they intervene".

Who are they? What significance do they have in West Bengal? Nobody knows them. They are just some hooligans. Their existence itself is in question & they will implement NRC here? I will see how they intervene: Mamata Banerjee on West Bengal BJP leaders demanding NRC in the state pic.twitter.com/S4mpTNmJI7

— ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2018

Earlier in the day, a high-profile TMC delegation, including six MPs and two MLAs was stopped at Silchar airport citing security reason. The TMC team was scheduled to take part in a convention against the National Register of Citizenship (NRC), which was released on July 30.

To further worsen the situation, Dwipen Pathak, the president of Assam Pradesh Trinamool Congress Committee resigned from his post alleging the West Bengal CM OF spreading rumours about the NRC draft.

Read | Assam NRC: TMC delegation stopped at Silchar airport; alleges a violation of the democratic right

"What Mamata Banerjee said about NRC, that it has been brought in Assam to drive out Bengalis, I don't agree with that. It might create disturbance and the blame would be on me as a president, so I have resigned from the post," Pathak said.

#WATCH: Dwipen Pathak after resigning from Assam TMC Chief's post says, "What Mamata Banerjee said about NRC, that it has been brought in Assam to drive out Bengalis, I don't agree with that. It might create disturbance here & the blame would be on me as a pres, so I've resigned" pic.twitter.com/JnxKy2gV0i

— ANI (@ANI) August 2, 2018

The publication of NRC draft in Assam has emerged as a hot political debate after over 40 lakh people, mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims and Hindus failed to be included in the list.

While the Centre has earlier denied its role into the matter, the West Bengal chief has reached out to several opposition leaders to consolidate their unity with an aim to corner the government. She has also requested all the opposition leaders to send a delegation to Assam and create pressure on the government.