Bengal polls: Central forces baton-charge TMC activists targeting Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur
Synopsis
Central forces intervened with baton charges at Bhabanipur on poll day after TMC workers — led by CM Banerjee's sister-in-law — surrounded Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari near Kalighat. With Banerjee's own CM position riding on this bypoll, the confrontation underscores just how combustible West Bengal's electoral politics remains.
Key Takeaways
Central forces baton-charged TMC activists at Bhabanipur on 29 April after they surrounded Suvendu Adhikari .
Kajori Banerjee , TMC councillor and CM Banerjee's sister-in-law, reportedly led the protest.
Adhikari filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal .
In Howrah (Madhya) , a man with a sharp-edged weapon was arrested; TMC alleged he was threatening voters for the BJP .
The BJP dismissed TMC's Howrah allegations.
Central forces deployed at Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata resorted to a baton charge on 29 April to disperse agitated All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) activists who had surrounded Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, near the Kalighat area. The flashpoint came as Bhabanipur witnesses a high-stakes electoral contest between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Adhikari.
How the Confrontation Unfolded
As Adhikari arrived at Jai Hind Bhavan in Kalighat — located close to the Chief Minister's official residence — TMC supporters led by party councillor and Chief Minister Banerjee's sister-in-law, Kajori Banerjee, began staging a protest. The crowd surrounded Adhikari and his associates, raising
Point of View
Rival sloganeering, and physical confrontations have become near-ritual. What stands out is that the agitation was reportedly led by a sitting councillor who is also the Chief Minister's sister-in-law, blurring the line between political protest and state-adjacent pressure. The Election Commission's response to Adhikari's formal complaint will be a telling signal of its willingness to act against ruling-party figures. Meanwhile, the Howrah weapon incident, still unverified as to the individual's affiliation, risks being weaponised by both sides before votes are counted.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did central forces baton-charge TMC activists at Bhabanipur?
Central forces intervened on 29 April after TMC activists surrounded Suvendu Adhikari and his associates near Jai Hind Bhavan in Kalighat, raising slogans and reportedly rushing towards them. The baton charge was used to disperse the crowd and restore order.
Who is Kajori Banerjee and what role did she play?
Kajori Banerjee is a TMC councillor and the sister-in-law of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She reportedly led the group of TMC supporters who staged the protest against Adhikari near Kalighat on poll day.
What complaint did Suvendu Adhikari file?
Adhikari lodged a formal complaint about the incident with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, alleging hooliganism by TMC workers during the Bhabanipur bypoll.
What happened in Howrah during the Bengal polls?
In Howrah (Madhya) constituency, a young man was arrested by Shibpur Police Station officers after being spotted with a sharp-edged weapon in the Narsingh Bose Lane area. TMC alleged he was threatening voters to support the BJP; the BJP denied the allegation.
Why is the Bhabanipur bypoll significant?
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee needs to win Bhabanipur to retain her position as CM after losing the Nandigram seat in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. Her contest against Suvendu Adhikari has drawn intense national attention.
