'Mamata Banerjee is extremely scared'

ONE OF THE BJP's major accusations against Mamata Banerjee is that she is “soft” on crimes against women, in particular the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at the state-government-run R.G. Kar Medical College.

- BY PREMA RAJARAM

Banerjee faced flak as not only the chief minister, but also the health minister.

The victim's parents joined the BJP in March to seek justice—though one person has been convicted, they believe there is a larger conspiracy. The victim's mother, Ratna Debnath, is contesting from Panihati. “Her party has threatened us in all ways,” said Debnath. “We are unable to say anything. They even read the mantra at her prayer meet. They told us to take ₹4 crore and move away from the matter. After that, they say I have taken ₹10 crore to join the BJP. What will I do with the money? I had a house that was my daughter's dream.”