Kolkata Jan 30 PTI West Bengal Forest Minister Jyotipriyo Mallick on Sunday abruptly left the podium during a function to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in Barrackpore area refusing to share the stage with BJP MP Arjun SinghMallick who was seated beside Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar suddenly got down from the stage when the Barrackpore MP arrivedAsked why chose to step aside the minister was heard telling the governor A professional killer is sitting beside you In protest I am leaving the platform I am sitting with the audience Mallicks comments came in the backdrop of the murder of Trinamool Congress leader Gopal Majumder in Barrackpore by unidentified assailants late on SaturdayWhile the ruling party alleged the killing was masterminded by Singh the BJP MP attributed the incident to infighting within the TMCBJP leader Bijoy Mukhopadhay was arrested on Sunday morning in connection with the murder of Majumder who was shot at and stabbed multiple times while returning home a police officer saidWe believe in democracy and non-violence preached by Mahatma Gandhi It is the TMC that is unleashing violence on us and killing its own party members in factional feud Singh saidHe however refused to comment on Mallicks actionThe minister later told reporters I was representing the state government as per protocol But I could not be seated on the podium with a mastermind of murders against whom we have filed charges and investigation is pending I did not leave the function midway I remained seated with the audience he addedBJP leader Debajit Sarkar shot back asserting that the TMC is making wild allegations and it has no right to indulge in character assassination of a representative of people at a state function PTI SUS RBT RBT