NEW DELHI: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of assaulting Arambag Member of Parliament (MP) Mitali Bag on the final day of campaigning prior to the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. According to a statement posted on X, the TMC claimed that Bag was “brutally and dastardly attacked by BJP lumpens and thugs,” leading to damage to her vehicle, with the windshield reportedly smashed and glass fragments injuring her.
The TMC further alleged that comments made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah contributed to the violence, asserting that he had threatened party leaders and workers, stating that anyone who ventured outside would be “hung upside down.” The party condemned the attack, considering it an assassination attempt on an elected official, and held Shah accountable by claiming that the assault was executed as a direct result of his directive.
Mitali Bag has been admitted to a local hospital for treatment. Officials confirmed that security forces are ensuring a peaceful environment in the area following the incident.
The Arambag constituency is currently represented by BJP’s Madhusudan Bag, who secured the seat in 2021 by a margin of 7,172 votes (3.3 percent) against TMC’s Sujata Mondal. This seat, historically a stronghold for the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has shifted representation since the TMC won it in both the 2011 and 2016 elections before the BJP’s recent gain.
For the upcoming election, the BJP has nominated Hemanta Bag to defend the seat against TMC’s Mitali Bag, while CPI(M)’s Bithika Pandit is also contesting.
Earlier on the same day, four individuals were arrested by West Bengal Police due to violent confrontations between supporters from TMC and BJP outside the Jagatdal Police Station. The second phase of voting is scheduled for April 29, and the counting of votes will take place on May 4.
