Siliguri, 03rd December: A political ruckus started minutes before the inauguration of the Bailey Bridge constructed over Balasan bridge on Friday. Supporters chanted slogans of ‘Jai Mamata Banerjee’ and ‘Jai Modi’ on the bridge.
Matigara Naxalbari MLA Anandamoy Barman also reached the Bailey Bridge with his supporters. Allegedly, the MLA and his supporters were turned back from the inauguration site. Due to which BJP supporters and MLA Barman expressed their displeasure and raised slogans against the state government and police administration. Later, the police administration and the District Magistrate pacified the atmosphere. After this, DM and MLA Barman inaugurated the bridge.
Addressing the media, MLA Barman said that the bridge was completed in such a short time due to the initiative of the central government. “For this project, 80% has been given by the Central Government,” Barman asserted.
Furthermore, the MLA questioned the need for an inaugural programme when the trial run had already been conducted a few days back. He called the inauguration a sham by the ruling party. Also, he expressed displeasure over not being invited to the inaugural function despite him being the MLA of the constituency.
Counter-attacking the MLA’s claims, Ranjan Sarkar, BoA member of Siliguri Municipal Corporation and member of North Bengal Development Department, said that with the promptness of the state government, the Bailey Bridge was completed over Balasan. “The central government did not take any initiative in making this bridge,” Sarkar alleged. Questioning 80% of the amount provided by the MLA on behalf of the central government, Ranjan Sarkar said “his (Anandamoy Barman) math is not right. He should have come prepared.”