BJP's 'Bengal Bandh' Marred by Violence: Allegations against TMC

BJP leader Priyangu Pandey claims TMC supporters attacked and fired at his car amid the 'Bengal Bandh'. The incident occurred in North 24 Parganas. Pandey alleges a conspiracy involving TMC and police. The Trinamool Congress party denies the allegations, accusing BJP of attempting to create chaos.

Amid the ongoing 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' by the BJP, party leader Priyangu Pandey on Wednesday alleged that members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) attacked and fired at his car in North 24 Parganas' Bharpara area. According to Pandey, bombs were also thrown at his vehicle, followed by multiple rounds of gunfire.

Describing the incident, Pandey said, 'I was on my way to visit our leader Arjun Singh when our car was obstructed by a jetting machine from Bhatpara Municipality. Around 50-60 individuals then targeted our vehicle, throwing 7 to 8 bombs and firing 6-7 rounds. This was a coordinated conspiracy by TMC and the police aimed at my murder.' Pandey also mentioned that his driver was shot and that two people among the others were severely injured.

Reacting to the attack, former BJP MP Arjun Singh stated, 'The road was deliberately blocked, and a bomb was thrown when our leaders were approaching. Seven rounds of firing occurred in the presence of an Assistant Commissioner of Police. This was clearly an attempt on Pandey's life.' Meanwhile, the West Bengal police detained BJP protesters at Kolkata's Bata Chowk during the bandh.

Earlier, Trinamool Congress workers protested against the BJP's bandh, which was called in opposition to the alleged police crackdown during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' march. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh accused the BJP of attempting to create anarchy and claimed that the people of Bengal have rejected the bandh.

The march, which began from College Square in Kolkata, saw heightened security around the state secretariat. Police used water cannons, lathi-charge, and tear gas to disperse protesters who clashed with officers and breached barricades.

(With inputs from agencies.)