The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday alleged that attempts were being made to prevent West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from visiting Baruipur, a constituency in South 24 Parganas district. The party claimed that administrative hurdles were being created to disrupt her scheduled public meeting and outreach program.
TMC's Allegations
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh stated that the district administration, under pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government, had denied necessary permissions for the event. “We have received reports that local officials are being instructed to stall the chief minister's visit. This is a deliberate attempt to suppress the voice of the people,” Ghosh said. He added that the party would approach the Election Commission if the situation persisted.
BJP's Rebuttal
Rejecting the TMC's allegations, state BJP chief spokesperson Debjit Sarkar called the claims a “drama” orchestrated by the ruling party to gain sympathy. “The TMC is known for creating fake narratives. There is no administrative obstruction; this is a political stunt to divert attention from real issues like unemployment and price rise,” Sarkar said. He challenged the TMC to provide evidence of any official order blocking the visit.
Background
Mamata Banerjee's visit to Baruipur is part of her ongoing ‘Jan Sanjog Yatra’ aimed at connecting with grassroots workers and addressing local grievances. The TMC has been on the offensive against the BJP, accusing it of misusing central agencies to target opposition leaders. The Baruipur incident adds to the ongoing political tussle between the two parties ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
Impact and Reactions
Political analysts note that such allegations often escalate during election seasons. The TMC's charge has mobilized its supporters, with local leaders threatening protests if the visit is blocked. Meanwhile, the BJP has called for a fact-based debate, accusing the TMC of wasting public time. The district administration has not yet issued an official statement on the matter.
