BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari alleges ‘TMC women attacked’ his convoy; Trinamool calls it ‘people’s anger’

“My car was not attacked, I was attacked. Nothing happened because I was inside the car… These are barbarians,” Adhikari said after he reached the venue.

“I wasn’t going to participate in any political event, but was rather going to join the Kali Puja and Diwali festivities as a Hindu,” he said in a post on X.

This marks the third alleged attack on a BJP leader in West Bengal in quick succession.

The incident comes a day after BJP MP from Darjeeling, Raju Bista’s convoy was allegedly attacked when it was passing near Sukhia Pokhri in North Bengal. Bista claimed that “unknown miscreants” pelted stones at his convoy, damaging the vehicle on Saturday. He called it a “conspiracy” aimed at disturbing peace.

Earlier this month, a mob attacked BJP MP Khagen Murmu and BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh during their visit to flood-hit Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district. Murmu sustained critical injuries as their vehicle was allegedly ransacked.

These successive incidents have led the BJP to condemn what it terms a disturbing pattern of politically-motivated violence against its leaders in the state.

Adhikari claimed that the attackers were “mainly illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh” who were wary of their fate due to the SIR process.
He also questioned the police’s role in ensuring his safety and claimed that Hindus were being prevented from practicing their religion in the state. “They are preventing me from practicing my religion. They have tried to stop me in two places but they can’t,” the BJP MLA from Nandigram said.

Adhikari announced that he will return to the area after Jagaddhatri Puja, stating that this time he will tour the area with the party flag. He also called for Hindus in South 24 Parganas to unite, citing concerns over infiltration and the safety of women and the common man.

Condemning the incident, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said, “Yesterday (Saturday) Raju Bista (BJP MP) convoy was attacked in North Bengal, today Suvendu Adhikari was attacked!”

The TMC denied any involvement in the incident. It accused the BJP MLA of promoting “politics of hatred”.

“There is democracy here; anyone can go wherever they want. The common people are no longer able to tolerate the BJP,” TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.

TMC leader Jay Prakash Majumdar claimed common people protested against Adhikari as they are angry with the BJP. “These poor people have been pushed to the brink because of the deprivation of funds by the BJP-led government at the Centre,” he said. “They (BJP leaders) should be careful. People across Bengal, in every village, market, and street, are angry. Bengal knows how to protest, and BJP leaders will have to face such demonstrations everywhere,” he added.

Senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said Adhikari, during his time in the TMC, had taken part in atrocities against Left supporters and is now facing similar treatment from the “unruly and undemocratic” party.

— with PTI