Kajari Banerjee accuses Suvendu Adhikari of creating chaos in Bhabanipur
Synopsis
The Bhabanipur constituency — already one of West Bengal's most watched electoral battles — erupted in fresh tension on Wednesday as TMC Councillor Kajari Banerjee accused BJP's Suvendu Adhikari of deliberately stoking unrest, while central forces resorted to a baton charge against TMC workers near the Chief Minister's Kalighat residence. Both sides are now trading blame as Phase 2 polling crosses 61% turnout.
Key Takeaways
Kajari Banerjee , TMC Councillor and sister-in-law of CM Mamata Banerjee , accused Suvendu Adhikari of "creating chaos" in Bhabanipur on 29 April .
Central forces deployed at Bhabanipur resorted to a baton charge to disperse agitated TMC activists near Kalighat .
Kajari Banerjee alleged the CAPF is "working for the BJP" — a claim the forces have not officially addressed.
Adhikari predicted his victory would be assured if turnout crosses 80% , and even higher if it crosses 90% .
Voter turnout in Phase 2 across 142 constituencies and six districts stood at 61.11% in the first six hours.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Councillor and sister-in-law of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Kajari Banerjee, on Wednesday accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari of deliberately "creating chaos" in the Bhabanipur constituency, alleging he knows the election result will not favour him. She also claimed that the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) deployed in the area is working at the behest of the BJP — an allegation the central forces have not officially responded to.
Kajari Banerjee's Confidence in TMC Victory
Kajari Banerjee, who serves as a TMC Councillor from Ward No. 73 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, stated that election trends point firmly toward a victory for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Speaking to IANS, she said, "From the beginning till now, the trend has been the same that Mamata Banerjee is winning." She added that Adhikari's alleged attempts to stir unrest were a sign of desperation. "He has now understood what is going to happen, that is why he is roaming around asking for votes. He is trying to create chaos at a few places," she said, referring to the Leader of Opposition.
Tension at Kalighat as Adhikari Arrives
Significant tension was reported near the Kalighat area of South Kolkata, close to the official residence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, when Adhikari arrived at Jai Hind Bhavan. TMC supporters, including Kajari Banerjee, staged a protest and surrounded Adhikari and his associates, raising "Jai Bangla" and "Thief" slogans. According to reports, some protesters were seen rushing toward Adhikari and his associates, prompting a tense standoff.
CAPF Baton Charge on TMC Workers
Central forces deployed at the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency — the high-stakes electoral battleground between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari — reportedly resorted to a baton charge to disperse agitated TMC activists. The workers had been staging a protest and shouting slogans against Adhikari in the Kalighat area. Kajari Banerjee said the CAPF's actions were partisan, alleging, "The central forces are not good. They are working for the BJP. We have no hope from the central forces."
Adhikari Hits Back, Predicts High Turnout Victory
Suvendu Adhikari dismissed the protests and counter-allegations, calling the scenes "hooliganism" that would only boost his polling margin. "Such hooliganism will just help to increase my polling margin. Bhabanipur is a place of gentlemen. My calculation says that finally, Bhabanipur will witness over 80 per cent of polling. In that case, my victory is assured. If the polling percentage crosses 90, my winning margin will be even higher," Adhikari said. Kajari Banerjee, however, denied his version of events, stating that polling was proceeding peacefully before Adhikari arrived and allegedly began instigating people.
Phase 2 Voting Underway Across West Bengal
The incidents at Bhabanipur unfolded as polling was underway for 142 constituencies across six districts in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Voter turnout in the first six hours, recorded up to 1 pm, stood at 61.11 per cent. The Bhabanipur seat carries particular significance as it is Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's own constituency and a direct contest with the state's Leader of Opposition. With counting yet to take place, competing claims from both sides are expected to intensify in the coming hours.
Point of View
If substantiated, would raise constitutional concerns about the neutrality of centrally deployed forces. Conversely, Adhikari's bravado about turnout thresholds and winning margins — made mid-poll — is a calculated confidence signal aimed at his own base. What is missing from both narratives is independent verification of who provoked whom near Kalighat. Voters in Bhabanipur, caught between two formidable political machines, will ultimately render the only verdict that counts.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kajari Banerjee and why is she significant in the Bhabanipur election?
Kajari Banerjee is a Trinamool Congress Councillor from Ward No. 73 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the sister-in-law of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Her public statements and on-ground presence in Bhabanipur carry political weight given her direct family ties to the Chief Minister contesting from that seat.
What happened at Kalighat during Phase 2 polling?
TMC supporters, including Kajari Banerjee, staged a protest and surrounded BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and his associates near Jai Hind Bhavan in Kalighat, raising slogans. Central forces subsequently resorted to a baton charge to disperse the agitated TMC workers in the area.
Why is the Bhabanipur constituency so significant in the West Bengal elections?
Bhabanipur is Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's own constituency and is the site of a direct electoral contest between her and Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. The outcome is seen as a prestige battle for both the TMC and BJP.
What was the voter turnout in Phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly elections?
Voter turnout in Phase 2, covering 142 constituencies across six districts, stood at 61.11 per cent in the first six hours up to 1 pm on 29 April.
What did Suvendu Adhikari say about the protests against him?
Adhikari dismissed the protests as "hooliganism" and claimed they would only increase his polling margin. He predicted that if turnout in Bhabanipur crossed 80%, his victory was assured, and a turnout above 90% would increase his winning margin further.
