A day after BJP MP Khagen Murmu and party MLA Shankar Ghosh were attacked by a mob in Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, another BJP MLA, Manoj Oraon of Kumargram in Alipurduar district, was allegedly attacked while distributing relief in North Bengal. BJP sources alleged that along with two others, Oraon sustained injuries and was shifted to a local hospital for treatment after the attack in the Bittabari area of his constituency. Oraon claimed, "While trying to help flood-hit people, I was suddenly surrounded and attacked. This is the state of democracy under the TMC." Party members alleged that this attack was orchestrated by the TMC, while Bengal BJP leadership has already blamed the state’s ruling party for the attacks on Murmu and Ghosh, who were visiting Nagrakata village to check on people hit by floods and landslides in the Dooars region. The Trinamool had hit back, alleging that BJP leaders were using the natural disaster as a backdrop for photo opportunities instead of offering genuine help. The West Bengal BJP posted on X, "Whenever we stand beside flood-hit people in north Bengal, the TMC unleashes its rampage! In Mamata Banerjee's rule, even showing solidarity with people in distress has become a crime! BJP MLA Manoj Kumar Oraon, party workers, and central forces were attacked.” The TMC, however, denied the charges, calling them "baseless". A mob had allegedly pelted stones at Murmu and Ghosh, attacked them with sticks, and ransacked their vehicle. Murmu sustained critical injuries, and both he and Ghosh are presently admitted at a hospital in Siliguri. Ghosh had claimed that before the attack, “when we visited the area, suddenly some people came up to us and said they were Didi’s sainik and why are you here, we said we are Modi ji’s sainik,” he said.
