The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has alleged a surge in post-poll violence across West Bengal, with several of its party offices vandalised. The party claims that supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are responsible for the attacks, which have left multiple offices damaged and party workers injured.
TMC's Allegations
According to TMC leaders, the incidents began shortly after the conclusion of the elections. They report that in at least a dozen locations, party offices were ransacked, furniture destroyed, and election materials stolen. In some cases, party flags were torn down and replaced with BJP flags. The TMC has demanded immediate action from the Election Commission and the state administration to curb the violence and protect its workers.
Specific Incidents Reported
- In North 24 Parganas district, a TMC office was set on fire, with no casualties reported.
- In Hooghly, party workers were allegedly attacked while returning from a rally.
- Multiple offices in Kolkata's suburbs were vandalised overnight.
BJP's Denial
The BJP has strongly denied any involvement in the alleged violence. Party spokesperson stated that the accusations are a tactic to divert attention from internal TMC issues. “The TMC is trying to cover up its own failures by blaming us. We condemn any form of violence and urge the authorities to investigate impartially,” the spokesperson said.
BJP leaders also pointed out that they have filed complaints about attacks on their own workers, suggesting that the violence may be orchestrated by local miscreants rather than any political party.
Political Reactions
The state government has promised a thorough inquiry into the incidents. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed for peace and urged all parties to refrain from provocative actions. Meanwhile, the opposition has called for central intervention, accusing the state police of bias.
Political analysts view this as a continuation of the intense rivalry between the two parties, which has often spilled over into street clashes. The Election Commission is monitoring the situation closely.
