Kirti Azad seeks pistol licence, blames BJP for egg attacks

Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad has said he will apply for a pistol licence for self-defence after a series of egg-throwing attacks on TMC leaders in West Bengal. Speaking in his Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency on Monday, the former cricketer alleged the attacks were financed and planned by the BJP to intimidate party workers. 'Eggs are almost Rs 10 apiece now. Am I supposed to believe that people are voluntarily buying eggs and throwing them at our leaders?' he asked.

Azad's remarks come amid a deepening political battle between the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and the rebel faction headed by leader of opposition Ritabrata Banerjee. The split has sharpened after the death of veteran TMC leader Asish Banerjee, who was found hanging at a party office on Sunday. Police are investigating a purported suicide note. Azad directly targeted Ritabrata, saying, 'We know exactly what Ritabrata has done, what he said over the phone, and under whose pressure he acted.'

BJP MLA Chandrashekhar Bandyopadhyay warned Azad against talking about firearms, saying, 'If he talks of keeping firearms and the like, we will pick him up and escort him right out of the state.' Azad said the TMC is preparing for a larger political campaign after Durga Puja, signalling an intensification of grassroots activities and confrontation with the BJP.