BJP activists ransack Congress office, tear posters; 6 people arrested

A political firestorm erupted in Kolkata on Friday after Congress leaders alleged that BJP supporters attacked and ransacked their state headquarters, known as Bidhan Bhawan. The incident, which reportedly took place during a protest by BJP workers, has drawn sharp condemnation from the Congress leadership, who described the act as a pre-planned attack and a cowardly show of strength by their political rivals. Six individuals were arrested in connection with the incident, and a police investigation is now underway.

The Congress claimed that the attack on its state office was led by an individual named Rakesh Singh, who they identified as a BJP supporter. According to eyewitness accounts from Congress workers, a group of about 50 BJP supporters gathered in front of the office to protest a recent statement by Rahul Gandhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The demonstration, however, quickly turned violent, with protesters allegedly breaking into the premises.

Once inside, the protestors are said to have caused significant damage. Congress leaders claimed that their office was ransacked, with chairs, posters, and placards being vandalized. Adding to the insult, black ink was allegedly smeared on posters of party leaders, including one of Rahul Gandhi. When Congress workers tried to intervene, they were reportedly beaten by the attackers.

Following the incident, Bengal Congress president Shuvankar Sarkar penned an open letter to state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya. In the letter, Sarkar expressed his belief that such a serious incident could not have occurred without the BJP's consent, especially when it was reportedly led by a party member. Meanwhile, former Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called the incident "a pre-planned incident" and referred to Rakesh Singh as an "anti-social element."

The police, upon receiving information about the incident, rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. They arrested six individuals, who are alleged to be BJP supporters. A police investigation has been initiated based on the complaint filed by state Congress leaders. The police are now looking into the circumstances of the attack and the specific role of the arrested individuals.