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The political climate in West Bengal took a turn for the worse on Wednesday as a BJP leader, Priyangu Pandey, became the target of an attack. The incident, which involved firing at his car, occurred in the Bhatpara region of Barrackpore, amidst a 12-hour shutdown called by the BJP to protest the police action on 'Nabanna Abhijan' protesters on Tuesday. This incident is a stark reminder of the growing tensions between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP in the state.
Pandey claimed that the attack was carried out by TMC supporters, who allegedly threw bombs and fired at his car. He further alleged that the police were complicit in the attack, citing the presence of an ACP during the incident. Although Pandey alleged that his driver sustained bullet injuries, the police denied this claim, stating that the driver was unharmed. However, visuals from the scene showed significant damage to the front of Pandey's car, underscoring the severity of the attack.
Following the incident, three individuals were arrested. The BJP condemned the attack, with Arjun Singh, another BJP leader, stating that there was a plan to kill Pandey. Amit Malviya, the party's IT cell head, took to X to voice his condemnation, accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the West Bengal Police of targeting BJP workers and using extra-constitutional means to suppress their activities. This attack, coupled with the ongoing political tensions in the state, is likely to further escalate the conflict between the BJP and the TMC.
The 12-hour shutdown called by the BJP had a visible impact on daily life in West Bengal. Public transport services were disrupted due to road and rail blockades across the state. While schools and colleges remained open, attendance was significantly lower, with many employees opting to work from home. Despite the shutdown, markets and shops remained operational, indicating a mixed response to the call for a strike.
Source: 3 arrested for firing at BJP leader's car in Bengal amid 12-hour shutdown