Political Tensions Erupt in Kolkata as BJP Holds Nomination Rally
In a dramatic display of political rivalry, the battle for Bhowanipore escalated on Thursday with chants of 'Jai Shri Ram' from BJP supporters clashing with Trinamool Congress's 'Joy Bangla' slogans. The confrontation unfolded on the streets of south Kolkata as BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari filed his nomination from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's home turf, accompanied by a high-profile roadshow led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
BJP's Show of Strength Turns Volatile
The BJP's program commenced at Hazra crossing at 11:50 AM, where Amit Shah addressed party workers for approximately ten minutes. Following the address, Shah and Adhikari embarked on a roadshow at 12:10 PM in an open-roof vehicle, flanked by enthusiastic supporters spraying flowers and chanting slogans. The procession featured traditional 'Dhakis' and 'Bohurupis', with party workers on foot and bikes waving saffron flags and shouting 'Ebar Banglay BJP' and 'Mamata Hatao, Bangla Bachao'. The convoy, which included state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya and other candidates like Swapan Dasgupta and Santosh Pathak, moved slowly toward the Alipore Survey Building for nomination filing.
However, after advancing about 400-500 meters near the Harish Chatterjee Street-Hazra Road crossing—close to Banerjee's residence—Shah and Adhikari exited their vehicle at 12:40 PM. They proceeded to the Survey Building in Gopalnagar, roughly 200 meters away, in separate cars. Sources indicated that Shah was aware of potential trouble near the Chief Minister's home, prompting this strategic change to avoid confrontation.
Clashes and Traffic Chaos Ensue
Even after Shah and Adhikari departed, the procession continued toward Kalighat, just a few hundred meters from Banerjee's home, where the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Trinamool supporters, many holding green-and-white flags and wearing black headbands, gathered along the route, raising slogans of 'Joy Bangla' and 'Mamata Banerjee Zindabad'. Within minutes, rival groups stood mere meters apart, shouting slogans and attempting to outnumber each other, with BJP workers responding with counter-slogans.
Witnesses reported incidents of scuffles, including the hurling of shoes and other objects, though police intervention prevented a full-blown confrontation. Approximately 1,600 police personnel formed human barricades to manage the volatile stretch. The clashes brought traffic to a standstill on Hazra Road, New Alipore, Tollygunge Circular Road, and Chetla Central Road for over an hour, with vehicles diverted via Sadananda Road. Commuters were forced to disembark from buses, autos, and taxis to walk to their destinations. Delivery worker Manoj Shaw, for instance, had to walk nearly 3 kilometers to complete an order.
Nomination Filed Amid Protests
Outside the Survey Building, Trinamool supporters gathered, waving black flags and chanting "go back" slogans as BJP leaders arrived. The tension resulted in at least one person reportedly suffering an eye injury, and a BJP worker lay down on the road in protest. Despite the unrest, Suvendu Adhikari successfully filed his nomination around 1:15 PM in the presence of Amit Shah, marking a significant moment in the ongoing political contest.
