Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Political tensions escalated sharply in Kolkata’s Behala Paschim constituency as a war of allegations broke out between rival candidates over claims of vandalism and disruption during the ongoing election campaign.
The controversy began after BJP candidate Indranil Khan accused Trinamool Congress workers of vandalising the party’s election office in the constituency. However, Trinamool Congress candidate Ratna Chatterjee strongly refuted these claims, presenting a counter-narrative and alleging that BJP supporters were responsible for provoking the situation.
Speaking in Kolkata, Ratna Chatterjee asserted that she possesses video evidence contradicting the BJP’s version of events. “I have a video. They initiated it,” she said, directly challenging the allegations made by her opponent.
She further claimed that acts of vandalism against her campaign materials had been ongoing. “Every day, my hoarding was found broken and thrown away… They were live on social media and breaking our banners,” she alleged, indicating a pattern of targeted disruption against her campaign.
According to Chatterjee, these incidents occurred openly and in the presence of law enforcement. “They were doing this in front of the police. I asked the police why this is happening, and they told us to wait, saying the Election Commission is arriving,” she stated, raising questions about the handling of the situation at the ground level.
The situation appeared to escalate further later in the day when arrests were made. Chatterjee revealed that upon returning home, she was informed that two of her party workers had been taken into custody. “When I reached home, I heard that the police arrested two of my workers. I told the police to arrest them as well, because it was not one-sided,” she added, calling for impartial action.
The incident highlights the increasingly charged atmosphere in West Bengal as campaigning intensifies ahead of the Assembly elections. Constituencies like Behala Paschim have emerged as key battlegrounds, with both major parties engaging in aggressive outreach while also trading accusations over campaign conduct.
The exchange of allegations between the two sides underscores the volatile nature of the electoral environment, where claims of provocation, vandalism, and bias are shaping the narrative on the ground. As authorities continue to monitor the situation, the focus remains on ensuring a fair and peaceful electoral process in the days leading up to voting.
