Kolkata, December 16: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government on Saturday denied the permission for Bharatiya Janata Party’s Rath Yatra and had faxed their decision to the state headquarter of the saffron front. However, BJP state unit chief Dilip Ghosh said that they would appeal to the single bench of the West Bengal High Court and if required will go to jail for the cause.

Reacting on the state government order, Ghosh said, “Doors of the court are open for us. We sat with them (TMC) on the orders of the court, but they said they wouldn't let the yatra take place. So we'll appeal to the single bench of the West Bengal High Court.” Calcutta High Court Denies Permission for BJP’s Rath Yatra in West Bengal, Dilip Ghosh’s Convoy Attacked By ‘TMC Goons’.

According to the BJP sources, the three-letter fax – sent by the state government at around 6:30 pm on Saturday – mentioned that the permission was denied for Rath Yatra fearing tensions in the area due to the presence of RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal supporters.

However, BJP claimed that their Yatra (rally) is political and not religious. Ghosh also stated that no outside outfit would participate in the rally. He added that the rally is to ‘save the republic’ and they have briefed it in the Lal Bazaar (police headquarters). Ghosh threatened that the BJP leaders are ready to break the law and go to jail, but the rally will take place.

With things blowing out of proportion, Banerjee had called chief secretary, State police DG, ADG (law and order), ADG (IB) and other senior officials at Nabanna (state secretariat) on Saturday to discuss whether the permission be given or not.

Sources say that before the meeting inputs were called from all the district headquarters and each one had feared tensions, if permissions were given for the rally. Also, various celebratory occasions are lined up from December-end. Keeping all the aspects in place, the Chief Minister announced that permission for BJP Rath Yatra wouldn’t be given.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2018 05:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).