BJP MP Babul Supriyo on Friday said that the illegal slaughterhouses in West Bengal were running under the patronisation of the state government.
“In my constituency, illegal slaughterhouses thrive in the vicinity of Trinamool Congress leader and minister Malay Ghatak’s residence. People have told me that when cows are slaughtered at these places even the water of adjoining the canal turns red and the cries of the livestock is unbearable. These are part of the appeasement politics of the state government because it has to sustain on the minority vote bank,” said Supriyo, on the sidelines of a party event.
He also said that the UP government was not against slaughterhouses. “It has only come down against illegal abattoirs. Those who had valid licences can carry on their businesses uninterrupted. Crores of rupees are exchanged hands through this illegal trade and they go unaccounted. If these people and the establishments are brought in the purview of tax, a lot of money can come into the state coffers,” Supriyo added.
Asked if the Centre would intervene into the state-run slaughterhouses, he said that it was not possible as a law and order issue. “Politicians here are doing it for the vote bank but people here are smart enough to see through these tricks and believe that they should get into legal trade with proper infrastructure and do business smoothly,” Supriyo added.
Referring to the rally on Friday led by mayor Sovan Chatterjee against the Narada sting operation, Supriyo said, “I have court cases pending against me as well. Do I need to take a rally out for that? I don’t know why he is doing this. Why not let law take its own course and wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court to come out?”
