BJP stage set on fire, TMC office vandalized in Behala during Biplab Deb’s rally

High drama and violence unfolded in Behala’s Sakher Bazar on Sunday afternoon as supporters of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engaged in a fierce street battle. The trouble began over the hoisting of party flags ahead of a scheduled BJP meeting featuring central leader Biplab Deb. Allegedly, TMC workers prevented BJP supporters from putting up their flags at the Sakher Bazar intersection, leading to a physical scuffle between the two groups that quickly spiraled out of control.

In the immediate aftermath of the scuffle, BJP workers allegedly marched to the nearby office of TMC Councilor Sudeep Pol and vandalized the premises. The situation turned even more volatile after Biplab Deb concluded his speech. According to eyewitnesses, a group of men allegedly linked to the TMC retaliated by setting the BJP's meeting stage on fire. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the venue as chairs were smashed and the temporary structure was gutted. A fire engine was rushed to the spot and managed to douse the flames before they could spread to adjacent shops.

The violence caused a major traffic gridlock on the busy Diamond Harbour Road, forcing commuters to wait for hours as police struggled to restore order. Senior TMC leaders and MLAs, including Debashis Kumar and Ratna Chatterjee, arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to pacify their party cadres. Both parties have since traded sharp accusations; the BJP claimed the fire was a desperate attempt to disrupt their growing influence, while the TMC alleged that the BJP intentionally provoked chaos to gain political mileage.