Kolkata, June 17 (UNI) Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday visited fire-ravaged Orphan Gunj market ( Kidderpore) in the city and alleged the blaze that ruined the businesses of some 1,300 traders early on Monday was manmade and a "great conspiracy" to evict poor people from the prime location.

He said BJP would extend the support both legally and politically to the affected traders and raise the issue in the ongoing Assembly session this week.

He questioned Chief minister Mamata Banerjee's announcement hours after the fire that the affected business people would be relocated and the compensation of Rs 1 lakh would be given to them after they shifted to the new location.

Adhikari, who was accompanied by party legislators and former MP Arjun Singh, also assured the affected traders of BJP's help in raising their demand not to relocate.

He alleged that there was a conspiracy to remove the affected people and to set up malls and other businesses for the rich. "Where can these affected people with a compensation of only Rs 1 lakh," Adhikari asked.

Adhikari earlier in his X handle said the destruction of 1,300 shops was not just a tragedy but a sinister conspiracy. "This appears to be a deliberate act to oust the hardworking businessmen of the area and hand over the land," Adhikari alleged.

The erstwhile Left Front government tried similar tactics but failed, he said. "The fire brigade’s shocking three-hour delay in reaching the scene, coupled with their inability to act initially due to shortage of water, confirms an unholy nexus at play," he said.

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