Accusing Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of “banking on violence” to “return to power” BJP General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday said central forces should be deployed in the state immediately. He said that this should be done to “put an end” to the “political violence” that engulfs the atmosphere of the state these days.

The leader urged the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections in the state in April-May next year, saying there should not be any provision for fear and violence.

“Mamata Banerjee knows that the land under her feet has slipped and so she is trying to return to power in the state on the strength of violence,” he said.

“I urge the Election Commission to deploy central forces from now itself in order to put an end to the prevailing atmosphere of political violence and terror in the state,” Vijayvargiya told the media at Shantiniketan in Birbhum district.

The ruling Trinamul Congress and the BJP have been engaged in a tussle over the attack on saffron party president JP Nadda’s convoy during his Bengal visit on Thursday, while he was travelling to Diamond Harbour.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has called on three IPS officers of the state cadre to join the central deputation.

The three officers -- Bholanath Pandey (SP, Diamond Harbour), Praveen Tripathi (DIG, Presidency Range) and Rajeev Mishra (ADG, South Bengal) -- were responsible for the security of the BJP chief during his December 9-10 visit to the state.

On Sunday, Vijayvargiya met Visva Bharati Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty to discuss details about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's virtual programme to mark the foundation day of the central university on December 24.

Later Vijayvargiya told reporters, “The PM, who is the Chancellor of Visva Bharati founded by Gurudev Rabindanath Tagore, is slated to address the programme virtually. We discussed the modalities. It was an informal meeting.”