In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in West Bengal, the Leader of the Opposition and BJP MLA, Suvendu Adhikari, staged a sit-in protest at a police outpost on Saturday evening. The protest followed an alleged attack on his convoy and a road blockade by activists of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Convoy Attacked on Return from Public Meeting
The incident occurred on Saturday evening as Adhikari was returning from a public meeting in Purulia. According to the BJP's account, when his car reached the Chandrakona Road market area in Garbeta, a group of Trinamool Congress activists blocked the road. The BJP alleges that the activists then attacked Adhikari's car with bamboo sticks, creating a tense situation that lasted for over an hour.
Adhikari's Sit-In Protest at Police Outpost
Following the alleged attack, Suvendu Adhikari proceeded directly to the Chandrakona Road police outpost. There, he sat on the floor, staging a sit-in demonstration to demand immediate action. Speaking from the protest site around 8:30 PM, Adhikari claimed that a miscreant from the ruling party had deliberately blocked his path after he crossed the Chandrakona Road intersection.
"My protest will continue until the culprits are arrested," declared the BJP leader, emphasizing his resolve. His direct action at the police station highlighted the deepening political fault lines in the state.
Political Fallout and Accusations
The event has triggered a fresh wave of accusations between the state's principal political rivals. The Bharatiya Janata Party has strongly condemned the incident, framing it as an example of political violence and intimidation orchestrated by the TMC to silence the opposition. Key points of contention include:
- The alleged use of violence against a constitutional post-holder.
- The prolonged blockade of a public road.
- The perceived failure of local law enforcement to prevent the incident or provide immediate security.
This confrontation in Garbeta is expected to have significant repercussions, further polarizing the political atmosphere in West Bengal. It underscores the ongoing and often volatile struggle for dominance between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress in the state.
