TMC - BJP Clash In Kolkata’s Behala Ahead Of Assembly Elections, Stage Set On Fire, Police Deployed

Political tension in West Bengal escalated on Sunday evening after supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clashed in the Behala Sakher Bazar area on the outskirts of Kolkata. The incident took place amid rising political activity ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

The clash reportedly began over the use of microphones and the hoisting of party flags, quickly turning into a heated confrontation between workers of the two rival parties.

What Triggered the Clash

According to initial information, an All Bengal Badminton Tournament was being organised in the area, an annual event linked to local TMC councillor Sudip Pal. During the programme, tensions reportedly rose between TMC and BJP supporters, leading to chaos at the venue.

The TMC alleged that around 20 to 25 BJP supporters vandalised a temporary stage and later set it on fire. The stage was earlier used by Biplab Deb, former Tripura chief minister and BJP leader, who addressed a gathering in the afternoon as part of the party's Parivartan Sankalp Sabha.

The ruling party also claimed that some BJP supporters confronted members of the local club during the ongoing badminton tournament, further worsening the situation.

Allegations, Counterclaims and Police Action

TMC leaders accused the BJP of deliberately creating unrest. TMC MLA Ratna Chatterjee, who represents the Behala Purba assembly constituency, said the party would respond firmly if such incidents continued.

On the other hand, local BJP leaders denied the allegations and claimed that the fire was started by TMC supporters to blame the opposition. They accused the ruling party of attempting to suppress political activities ahead of the elections.

Police confirmed that security was immediately stepped up in the area. Additional forces were deployed to prevent further violence, and a fire tender was rushed to the spot to control the blaze. No serious injuries were reported, but the situation remained tense for several hours.

Political Heat Ahead of Elections

The clash comes at a sensitive time, as the Election Commission of India is expected to announce the schedule for the West Bengal assembly elections by the end of February or early March.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's TMC has been in power since 2011. In the 2021 assembly elections, the party won 213 seats, securing a third consecutive term. The BJP, which had only three seats in 2016, made major gains in 2021 by winning 77 seats, emerging as the principal opposition.

Since then, the BJP has been steadily expanding its presence in the state and is aiming to challenge the TMC's nearly 15-year rule. With election season approaching, political confrontations are expected to intensify, putting law enforcement agencies on high alert across the state.