Agnimitra Paul's car vandalized in Asansol, stones pelted from multiple sides

The first phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections took a violent turn in Asansol South as BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul alleged that her car was vandalized, reportedly by supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). The incident occurred in the Rahmat Nagar area of Burnpur while Paul was conducting her rounds to observe the polling process. According to the candidate, as she exited the Rahmat Nagar High School, her vehicle was suddenly pelted with stones from multiple sides, causing significant damage to the rear of the car.

Tensions escalated earlier in the day when Paul was reportedly confronted by security officials in Raniganj. A heated argument broke out between the BJP candidate and IC Nasrin Sultana of the Nimcha outpost regarding the number of vehicles in her convoy. The officer cited Election Commission norms, stating that a candidate is restricted to a convoy of only three cars. Paul strongly contested this interpretation, leading to a standoff that heightened the atmosphere of unease in the constituency before the physical attack on her vehicle later that day.

The BJP has condemned the incident, with Paul asserting that the attack was a deliberate attempt by TMC-backed miscreants to intimidate her and disrupt the electoral process. She reported that even the vehicles of journalists accompanying her convoy were targeted with stones during the assault. The candidate has since reached out to the local police station to file a formal complaint, demanding swift action against those responsible for the violence.