BJP worker seriously injured in attack by TMC’s bike gang during campaign in Bankura

A BJP worker, Bishwaroop De, was seriously injured in an alleged attack by a TMC-affiliated bike gang during an election campaign in Bankura’s Simlapal block on Friday. BJP workers, with approval from the Election Commission, were campaigning for their candidate, Ananya Ray Chakraborty, in the Mandalgram area when the incident occurred. According to BJP’s account, a group of TMC workers, riding motorcycles, suddenly assaulted the BJP campaign by allegedly pushing De off his bike. De fell to the ground and sustained significant injuries.

Following the attack, other BJP workers immediately transported the injured De to the Simlapal Block Primary Health Centre. The severity of De’s injuries has not been fully disclosed, but sources suggest he was severely hurt. The incident triggered unrest in the area, with BJP workers staging protests, accusing TMC of orchestrating the assault. Local police reportedly arrived at the scene to defuse tensions, but the situation remains volatile.

The BJP has formally approached the Election Commission, demanding a thorough investigation into the incident. A BJP spokesperson confirmed that the party has submitted a written complaint, requesting the identification and punishment of the individuals responsible for the attack. "We are committed to ensuring the safety of our workers and demand immediate action. This attack is part of a broader pattern of violence and intimidation ahead of the elections," the spokesperson said. The BJP has also called for heightened security in the area to prevent further incidents during the election period.

In contrast, TMC has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. TMC leaders have accused BJP of fabricating the story to generate sympathy and divert attention from their own diminishing prospects in the elections. "The BJP is fabricating these accusations as part of their strategy to distract from their electoral loss. Our workers are peaceful, and these claims are entirely false," a TMC spokesperson said.