Watch: Ex-Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh threatens to 'choke' woman who confronted him

NEW DELHI: Dilip Ghosh on Friday threatened to "choke" a woman protester confronting the former West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief over inauguration of a newly-constructed road in Kharagpur.
The incident took place at Kharagpur's ward No. 6 where Ghosh arrived to inaugurate the concrete road. Upon his arrival, a group of women surrounded him, questioning his absence during his tenure as a Member of Parliament.
"Where have you been all this time? We never saw you even for a day when you were an MP. Now, after our councillor (Trinamool's Pradip Sarkar) has built the road, you're here?" they asked the ex-Lok Sabha member, according to news agency PTI.
Ghosh, who did not remain silent, claimed that the protesters were supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

He responded aggressively, saying, "I have given the money for this (road); it is not your father's money! Go and ask Pradip Sarkar about it!"
The argument quickly escalated, with one of the women retorting, "Why bring up our father? You were an MP!"
To this, the politician replied, "I will bring up your fourteen generations! Don't scream like that, I'll choke you. I have given money for this from my MPLAD fund during my tenure as a parliamentarian."

As the situation threatened to spiral out of control, the BJP leader's security personnel, along with party workers, intervened.
Police from Kharagpur Town police station also arrived at the scene.
However, the protests intensified as women surrounded Ghosh's car, with many seen hitting the vehicle.
Eventually, Ghosh had to leave the area.
'Why Ghosh went to inaugurate the road?'
Local councillor Sarkar, a former Kharagpur MLA, condemned Ghosh's actions.
He said, "He (Ghosh) is no longer an MP, so why did he go to inaugurate the road? The municipality completed the roadwork because it's a low-lying area. He went there and lost his temper, disrespecting the women by bringing up their fathers!"
Sarkar added, "I was not there, but he even insulted my father. He called the women 500-rupee workers. He should apologise. I condemn his remarks. Such language is unbecoming of a former MP."
'Opportunists protesting for 500 rupees'
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Ghosh claimed that the protest was "politically orchestrated" by the Trinamool Congress.
"This is not a protest. These are opportunists barking for 500 rupees. Those who bark, Dilip Ghosh will bring up their fathers," the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader stated, mentioning the monthly amount under Lakshmir Bhandar, the West Bengal government's financial assistance scheme for women.
He further explained, "I had worked for the construction of this stretch of road with the MPLAD fund money that was sanctioned during my tenure. I went there to inaugurate it, but at the instruction of the local councillor, a few women came to protest. When Pradip Sarkar was chairman, I was an MLA. Even now, Kharagpur municipality has stalled many of my funded projects."