A controversy has erupted in Shibpur, Howrah district, following the alleged tearing of Trinamool Congress (TMC) hoardings featuring the Chief Minister, just days before the party's significant meeting scheduled for July 21 in Dharmatala. Reports indicate that unidentified individuals used a blade to damage the hoardings installed on lamp posts along Foreshore Road and Jagat Banerjee Road in Shivpur yesterday. The Trinamool leadership has promptly lodged a formal complaint regarding the incident at the Shivpur police station.
The incident comes amidst a vigorous campaign by the Trinamool Congress in Howrah city, actively promoting the "Dharmatala Chalo" call to gather supporters to pay tribute to the martyrs. The party's extensive outreach includes the widespread display of posters, banners, hoardings, and wall writings, alongside organizing small processions to mobilize public support for the upcoming rally. The vandalism has been perceived as a direct attempt to disrupt these preparations and undermine the party's campaign efforts.
State Food Processing Minister and Howrah Sadar Trinamool Congress President Arup Roy has publicly accused opposition parties, specifically the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), of being behind this act of vandalism. The party leadership has expressed strong condemnation, viewing the tearing of these political advertisements as an act of sabotage. Police at Shivpur station are now investigating the complaint to identify the perpetrators responsible for the damage.