Violence Erupts Between TMC and BJP Ahead of Modi's Kolkata Rally
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Kolkata, March 14 (NationPress) In the lead-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally scheduled for Saturday in Kolkata, reports have emerged of stones being thrown at the residence of West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja located in the Girish Park area of north Kolkata.
Members of the Trinamool Congress allege that BJP supporters were responsible for these actions while making their way to the Prime Minister's rally at the Brigade Parade Ground. The state minister further claimed she was a target during this incident.
In response, the BJP has countered these allegations, asserting that it was Trinamool workers who threw bricks at their supporters as they marched through Girish Park.
They also accused the police of failing to take action during the confrontation.
Reports indicate that several individuals, including Bappaditya Naskar, the Officer-in-Charge of Bowbazar Police Station, were injured in the chaos. One BJP member has been hospitalized as a result.
It's important to note that Prime Minister Modi is set to address a gathering at the Brigade Parade Ground on Saturday afternoon.
Trinamool supporters in Girish Park claimed that while heading to the rally, a contingent of BJP activists hurled stones at Shashi Panja's home.
Panja stated, "BJP goons are behind this. The buses heading to the Brigade today are loaded with bricks, glass bottles, and explosives. They are accompanied by thugs from outside the area. They assaulted my residence on Girish Park Main Road. I was targeted, and I have retained photographs of those responsible for the attack."
She further mentioned that posters advocating for a "Boycott BJP" were displayed around her home in Girish Park. As BJP workers passed through, they exited their bus to tear down these posters before reboarding.
According to further allegations, when Trinamool workers tried to replace the posters, BJP members exited their bus again and began to physically confront them.
Panja added that during the skirmish, stones were thrown at her house, leading to broken windowpanes. "These individuals are capable of murder. They are thugs. Democracy has been undermined. Just look at their arrogance!"
Conversely, the BJP contends that it was their supporters who were attacked with bricks by Trinamool workers. Several BJP members, including Tamoghna Ghosh, the BJP President for North Kolkata, were injured and are currently in the hospital.