A confrontation erupted between workers of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction and the BJP in Kolkata’s Mukundapur on Tuesday, leading police to use lathicharge to disperse the groups. The clash took place after a procession organised by the Trinamool faction over allegations that one of its party offices had been forcibly occupied.
The situation turned tense soon after the procession began in the afternoon, with workers from the two sides reportedly getting into a physical altercation. Police stepped in and resorted to lathicharge as the confrontation intensified.
The Trinamool faction alleged that its workers were assaulted during the clash. Party members said they were marching to reclaim their office and submit a representation to the authorities.
They also alleged that eggs were hurled at women workers, including youth leader Upasana Chowdhury, and accused BJP workers of trying to attack them.
A video from the spot showed chaos on the streets as supporters of the rival groups confronted each other, while police used batons to disperse the crowd.
Chowdhury claimed that several party workers were injured and taken to hospital. She alleged that women workers were pushed to the ground and beaten, and said she was physically assaulted and had her jewellery pulled during the incident.
The BJP rejected the allegations and claimed that one of its workers was attacked while recording the procession.
BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar alleged that a BJP worker passing by the procession was grabbed and assaulted. He accused the Trinamool faction led by Mamata Banerjee of making unfounded allegations.
The incident comes amid growing tensions between rival factions in West Bengal, with disputes continuing over party offices and organisational control. The two camps have also exchanged allegations concerning matters related to Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee’s office on Camac Street.
As both sides have accused the other of assault, attention is now likely to centre on the police investigation and the events that led to the confrontation.
