Kolkata/IBNS: Tension flared outside Jai Hind Bhavan in Bhabanipur on Wednesday after Trinamool Congress supporters staged a protest during BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari’s visit to a polling booth.
TMC workers, many of them women, raised “chor” (thief) slogans against Adhikari, triggering a confrontation at the site.
Following Adhikari’s request, central forces rushed to the spot and resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, bringing the situation under control.
BJP supporters countered with “Jai Shri Ram” slogans, while TMC workers responded with “Joy Bangla,” escalating tensions briefly.
TMC supporters accused Adhikari of attempting to influence voters.
“Suvendu Adhikari has gone insane. He is attacking women. If they are already doing this even before coming to power, we are shocked to imagine what would happen if they win,” a supporter of Mamata Banerjee alleged.
Adhikari, however, hit back strongly, raising “Hindu” and “Jai Shri Ram” slogans and alleging that the protests were led by “Bangladeshi Muslims.”
“They are actually helping to improve my vote share,” he said.
Police confirmed that a brief disturbance occurred during the Leader of Opposition’s visit but said the situation was swiftly brought under control.
“A chaos had erupted during the Leader of Opposition’s visit, but we have cleared it. The situation is now under control,” a police official said.