The political storm surrounding the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata intensified on Monday as the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP traded barbs over allegations that the Bengal government attempts to silence rape victims by offering them money.

The controversy erupted when Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, counsel for the victim’s family and a senior CPI(M) leader, accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of trying to hush up rape cases, and that she has a “rate card” for victims and attempts to “purchase the witnesses.”

“The role of the Chief Minister in the state of West Bengal is very condemnable,” Bhattacharya told news agency ANI. “Wherever there is rape, she wants to immediately get into contact with the victim’s family, pay them money, and say everything is over.”

BJP leader and ex-Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar amplified the allegations by reposting a video of Bhattacharya’s statement on social media, captioning it: “‘WB govt has rate card for Rape & murder’ – says lawyer for victims family.”

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale retaliated by pointing out Bhattacharya’s affiliation with the CPI(M). He accused the BJP of aligning with the Left to attack the TMC, a charge levelled by Mamata Banerjee in her “Ram and Bam” narrative.

Gokhale tweeted: “Wait – who is this ‘lawyer’? He’s Bikash Rajan Bhattacharya – CPI(M) MP & Floor Leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha. Now he gets the open support of a BJP leader & former Union Minister. How’s the BJP collaboration with the Left in Bengal coming along, @RajeevRC_X ji?”

The war of words comes amid ongoing protests and demands for justice for the trainee doctor who was found semi-nude and brutally murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The BJP has been on the offensive against the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government over the handling of the doctor rape and murder case by accusing it of attempting to cover up the crime and protect the perpetrators.

On the other hand, the ruling party blamed the BJP and the Left for politicising the case and fomenting unrest in the state. It also accused the opposition parties of orchestrating the vandalism at the hospital and attempting to destabilise the government.