Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Sunday alleged that his car was attacked by members of the TMC in the South 24 Parganas district, where he was travelling to participate in Kali Puja and Diwali festivities. Adhikari claimed that repeated attempts were made to obstruct his car at at least seven locations, and it was attacked specifically occurring in front of the Lalpur Madrasa.
"In South 24 Parganas district, today I faced repeated attacks from illegal Bangladeshi Muslims. The obstruction, vandalism and chaos was orchestrated by none other than TMC Zila Parishad Member Rekha Gazi with the aid and support of SP Koteswara Rao," he alleged in a post on X, where he shared a purported video of one of the incidents.
The BJP leader stressed that his visit was non-political: "I wasn't going to participate in any political event, but was rather going to join the Kali Puja and Diwali festivities as a Hindu," he said. Adhikari further claimed that the attackers were "mainly illegal infiltrators" who were wary of their fate due to the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) process. Those who attempted to stop Adhikari's car were heard raising slogans such as 'Joy Bangla'.
Despite the disruptions, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader proceeded with his scheduled programme of inaugurating Kali Puja pandals, as central forces intervened to clear the roads. "This region is adjacent to Bangladesh & the close proximity has allowed them to settle down here with the help of the infiltrator-friendly TMC Eco system. Can't a Hindu participate in any religious event in the State of West Bengal freely, without facing obstructions from the radicals? They can't intimidate me; I will return during Jagadhatri Puja," declared Adhikari.
TMC spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar claimed common people protested against Adhikari as they are angry with the BJP. "These poor people have been pushed to the brink because of the deprivation of funds by the BJP-led government at the Centre," he said.
"They (BJP leaders) should be careful. People across Bengal, in every village, market, and street, are angry. Bengal knows how to protest, and BJP leaders will have to face such demonstrations everywhere," he added.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, meanwhile, said such incidents encourage BJP members in their fight against the ruling TMC, rather than demotivating them.
Also read: Bengal man held for forging 250 passports for Bangladeshis
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