Run-up to elections: Trinamool leader killed in Kolkata

In a major pre-poll incident in West Bengal, unknown gunmen shot dead Trinamool Congress vice-president Sachin Mukherjee while he was return...

In a major pre-poll incident in West Bengal, unknown gunmen shot dead Trinamool Congress vice-president Sachin Mukherjee while he was returning home at Garia in South 24 Parganas district on Sunday night.

The incident, dubbed by the Trinamool as the ‘‘handiwork of the CPI(M)’’, sparked off tension in the entire area, prompting Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee to rush to the spot with followers.

IGP (law and order) Raj Kanojia said that Mukherjee was shot at point blank range and died on the spot. The police have launched a manhunt to nab the assailants.

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According to Trinamool chief whip in the state Assembly, Sophan deb Chattopadhyay, Mukherjee was a trade union leader and was know as a good organiser in the party.

Accusing the Marxists of having a hand in the crime, Chattopadhyay said that Mukherjee had joined Mamata Banerjee when she formed a new party.

Parroting Mamata, who led a protest procession in the area, Chattopadhyay said a conspiracy had been hatched to annihilate the Opposition leaders before the elections.

‘‘If a leader of a political party is killed in this manner what sort of security can a common man expect in the state?’’ Chattopadhyay asked

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The ruling CPI(M), however, denied that it had anything to do with the killing of Mukherjee, as alleged.

‘‘I can say that the CPI(M) has no link with the killing of the TC leader,’’ the state secretary of the CPI(M), Anil Biswas told reporters.

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