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'Trinamool Congress workers hurled stones': Attacks on BJP, CPM road shows

The alleged attack on Srijan’s campaign happened a few hours after the CPM accused Trinamul of tearing the Left party’s flexes and banners at Naktala in ward 100 of the KMC

Subhashis Chaudhuri Calcutta Published 22.05.24, 10:36 AM
Torn banners and flexes of CPM's Jadavpur candidate Srijan Bhattacharya outside a party office at Naktala in Calcutta on Tuesday

Torn banners and flexes of CPM's Jadavpur candidate Srijan Bhattacharya outside a party office at Naktala in Calcutta on Tuesday The Telegraph

Trinamool Congress supporters were accused of attacking the campaign events of Jadavpur CPM candidate Srijan Bhattacharya and the BJP’s star campaigner Mithun Chakraborty in Calcutta and Midnapore, respectively, on Tuesday.

When Bhattacharya’s road show was being conducted at Shaheed Smriti Colony in Panchasayar in ward 109 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), the way was blocked by alleged Trinamool activists who also hurled stones and shoes at the procession.

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“Police dispersed the attackers and controlled the situation,” said a source.

A CPM leader said: “Armed Trinamool workers blocked the road show raising ‘go back’ slogans and hurled stones and bricks at the procession. They asked us to leave the place. We were forced to suspend the road show.”

The alleged attack on Srijan’s campaign happened a few hours after the CPM accused Trinamul of tearing the Left party’s flexes and banners at Naktala in ward 100 of the KMC.

“Everyone knows who has done such cowardly acts. Those who fear facing people’s mandate and are panicked about losing ground for their misdeeds have damaged our banners and posters. But people of Jadavpur will give them a befitting reply,” Srijan Bhattacharya told The Telegraph.

The CPM claimed it had identified three local Trinamool workers who had destroyed the posters and banners early on Tuesday at Naktala.

“We have several CCTV visuals and identified three local Trinamool activists who damaged campaign material. Police complaints have been lodged,” a CPM leader in Jadavpur said.

Trinamool has rejected the allegation.

Trinamool spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said: “The CPM is a non-entity in the battle of Jadavpur. Why should we attack the CPM to give unnecessary mileage to them.”

On Monday evening, a scuffle broke out during the campaign of the CPM’s Dumdum candidate Sujan Chakraborty in Khardah. The supporters of Trinamool and the CPM were involved in the fight in front of Khardah police station.

“Trinamool goons will not be able to prevent us this way,” Sujan Chakraborty said.

In Midnapore town, a road show of BJP’s star campaigner Mithun Chakraborty was allegedly attacked by Trinamool supporters on Tuesday. The road show was organised in support of the BJP’s Midnapore candidate Agnimitra Paul.

Sources said Trinamool supporters holding placards and black flags stood at Shibpura More connecting the Ring Road through which the rally was scheduled to pass. Once the rally reached Shibpura More, supporters of Trinamool and the BJP were involved in a brawl.

“Trinamool supporters hurled bottles and stones at the march. Police controlled the situation,” said a source.

Agnimitra Paul said: “Fear of defeat has engulfed Trinamool. The attack on our road show indicates Trinamool is desperately trying to unleash tension in the town.”

Trinamool’s West Midnapore district committee leader Ajit Maiti rejected the charge that the party had attacked Mithun’s road show.

“We were not involved. The BJP provoked the attack,” said Trinamool’s Midnapore candidate June Maliah.

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