The Trinamool Congress today alleged that BJP workers attacked one of its leaders during a campaign trail in Bengal. Trinamool's Mitali Bag alleged that its car was attacked by BJP workers backed by MLA Sushanta Ghosh. The incident took place amid the ongoing intensity of the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal.
Footage shows Mitali Bag and her entourage were subjected to a violent attack, injuring members of her staff. The severity of the attack was underlined by the destruction of the rear window and windows of their vehicle.
According to sources, the attackers surrounded Ms Bag's car with the intention of harming her. The Trinamool Congress denounced the incident, attributing it to what they see as the BJP's desperation in the face of impending electoral defeat.
This incident comes against the backdrop of heightened political tensions as the state witnesses a fierce battle for parliamentary representation. With six Lok Sabha seats having already been contested in the initial phase on April 19 and 26, the stage is set for further election showdowns on May 7, 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC won 34 seats in the state while the BJP had to settle for just two. The CPI(M) won two seats, while the Congress bagged four. In the 2019 general elections, the TMC dropped to 22 seats while the BJP saw the lotus bloom on 18 seats. The Congress came behind and won only two seats.