BJP MP Khagen Murmu and the party's Lok Sabha candidate from Bengal's North Malda constituency triggered controversy after he was pictured kissing a woman on the cheek while campaigning.
The incident took place on Monday when the BJP candidate was campaigning in Srihipur village of Chanchal in his parliamentary constituency. Pictures of Khagen Murmu kissing the woman were shared widely on social media.
Trinamool Congress took to X to slam the BJP, saying that the party has "no dearth of anti-women politicians".
"If you cannot believe what you just saw, let us clarify. Yes, this is BJP MP & Maldaha Uttar candidate Khagen Murmu, kissing a woman on his own accord on his campaign trail. From MPs that sexually harass women wrestlers to leaders who make obscene songs about Bengali women, the BJP camp has no dearth of anti-women politicians. This is how Modi Ka Parivar engages in Nari Ka Samman! Imagine what they would do if they came to power," the ruling party of Bengal wrote on the micro-blogging site.
Trinamool Congress's Malda district vice president Dulal Sarkar also condemned the incident, calling it against "Bengali culture". He wondered if such situations arise while "begging for votes", what the BJP's mentality will be after winning.
"People will decide this," Dulal Sarkar added.
Khagen Murmu, however, has justified the kiss in his response, saying the woman is like "his child".
"There is nothing wrong with kissing a child. This is a complete grassroots conspiracy. They have such bad values," the BJP candidate said.
He further stated that a complaint will be filed against Trinamool Congress pertaining to their comments on the kissing incident. "Parties and individuals are being defamed by distorting such pictures," Khagen Murmu said.
Moreover, the girl in question has also defended the BJP candidate's actions. Bashing at those who have pointed out the obscenity in the viral pictures, she said that there is nothing wrong if a man kisses a woman like his daughter.
"If a man kisses a woman like his own daughter, what is the problem with that? People who are making such incidents viral on social media have a dirty mentality. Khagen Murmu loves me like a daughter. My father and mother were also present when the picture was taken," the woman said.
