BJP leader arrested with socket bombs ahead of WB Panchayat Elections

Police have arrested a BJP leader in connection with the possession of socket bombs just before the upcoming panchayat elections. The incident occurred at the Jhar booth of Chhota Panjari in Gosairhat Gram Panchayat of Sheetalkuchi block.

Based on a tip-off, Sheetalkuchi police conducted a search at the residence of Abhijit Rai, the BJP booth president, last night. During the search, five socket bombs were recovered from his house. Subsequently, Abhijit Rai and Bapi Burman were taken into custody. Both individuals were produced in court on Saturday.

Baren Chandra Burman, the BJP MLA from Sheetalkuchi, expressed disbelief in Abhijit Rai's involvement, claiming that he is a simple person and incapable of such actions. Burman alleged that the Trinamool Congress, fearing defeat in the Gosairhat Gram Panchayat, conspired to falsely implicate Abhijit Rai. He reassured that the local community will respond to these allegations.

In response, Prashant Sutradhar, the Sheetalkuchi Block President of Trinamool Youth Congress, denied the presence of BJP in Gosairhat Gram Panchayat. Sutradhar accused BJP leaders of storing bombs in their houses to disrupt the polling environment, which the police have subsequently recovered.