Bengal BJP chief’s convoy attacked, party blames TMC
WAR OF WORDS TMC MP refutes charge, claims two BJP factions clashed over nomination MIDNAPORE:The
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s West Bengal unit chief Dilip Ghosh on Monday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers of attacking him and his supporters with stones and bricks in East Midnapore district. He claimed TMC Parliament member Dibyendu Adhikari led the attack.
“Stones and bricks were hurled incessantly upon our workers for 15 minutes. At least 10 of our men were injured and a few were hospitalised. As many as 30 motorbikes were vandalized. Our vehicle has been vandalised from all sides,” alleged Ghosh.
Ghosh claimed it was the seventh attack on him over the past few months. The BJP and TMC supporters have been trading allegations of attacks and blaming each other for them. The tensions between the two parties have grown amid the BJP’s attempts to make inroads into West Bengal ahead of the 2019 national elections.
Adhikari rubbished the allegation and claimed two BJP factions trying to nominate a panchayat functionary had clashed with each other.
“The BJP organised a meeting in a hall that is run by the municipality under the control of our party. But we gave the permission to hold the meeting. There is a conflict between two factions of the party. In fact, some of them attacked our party supporters. I was present at a Viswakarma Puja close by and I also rushed there after hearing that my party men were assaulted,” said Adhikari.
Police said five people were injured in the clash. “We are trying to control the situation. The five who were injured were taken to Contai hospital,” East Midnapore additional police superintendent (rural) Indrajit Basu said.
The BJP workers had gathered at Contai when the clash happened. BJP workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some of the party’s members raised slogans “go back, Dilip Ghosh” as soon as the Bengal unit chief reached Contai. An effigy of Ghosh was also set on fire, which enraged another faction.
A TMC worker, who too spoke on condition of anonymity, said TMC supporters from a ruling party office nearby ran to find out what happened. A clash ensued, he added.
Ghosh claimed the TMC workers were attacking them since they know they cannot stop the BJP in a democratic manner.
He had earlier on August 8 alleged that he was attacked with stones in Bankura district when he was on his way back after having dinner at athe house of a party worker. Ghosh had escaped unhurt but his car was damaged.