Congress factions clash at Bidhan Bhawan over candidate list, 1 worker suffer head injury

A major clash broke out at Bidhan Bhavan, the state Congress headquarters, on Wednesday as internal dissent over candidate selection escalated into violence. Angry party workers staged protests, leading to heated arguments and physical scuffles in full public view. During the clash, one worker sustained a head injury after being allegedly struck with a rod, while others raised slogans and blocked roads in protest.

The unrest was reportedly triggered by dissatisfaction over ticket distribution, with a section of workers accusing Youth Congress leader Kashif Reza of orchestrating attacks on long-time party members. Zahid Hossain, a ticket aspirant from Ballygunge, openly criticised the leadership after the seat was allotted to Rohan Mitra, son of late leader Somen Mitra. Protesters alleged bias in candidate selection, claiming that loyal workers were sidelined.

The situation worsened as clashes between rival factions intensified. Apart from the injured worker, allegations of molestation of women workers surfaced during the scuffle, while one woman reportedly fainted amid the chaos. Injured workers later staged a sit-in protest on the road, further disrupting the situation around the headquarters.

The unrest is not confined to Kolkata alone. Discontent over candidate selection has spread across multiple districts, including Amta, Bagnan, Shyampur, Uluberia, and parts of Purba Bardhaman, where protests turned violent with vandalism of party offices. In Falakata, workers damaged the block office demanding replacement of “outsider” candidates. The growing factionalism highlights deep internal divisions within the Congress ahead of the elections.