Bengal row: BJP–TMC clash over Malda gherao

Amid rising political tensions ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, the BJP and TMC traded barbs on Thursday after a mob gheraoed judicial officers in Malda. On Wednesday, a crowd surrounded seven officials, including three women, during an SIR exercise around 4 PM, and police rescued them close to midnight after using batons to disperse the mob. Protesters alleged that officials were removing names of eligible voters during the exercise, while another group blocked National Highway 12 connecting Kolkata and Siliguri.

The BJP alleged that the Trinamool Congress instigated the mob in Malda, calling the protest politically motivated. The party accused the TMC of orchestrating the agitation out of fear of losing elections after the removal of alleged bogus voters. BJP spokesperson Debit Sarkar also claimed that the protestors unlawfully confined judicial officials, including women, for several hours in harsh weather conditions.

Also Read: Student Brutally Beaten by school Teacher for Failing Math Problem

Bengal: BJP flags voter roll gaps; TMC blames EC

Responding to concerns over discrepancies in electoral rolls, BJP spokesperson Debit Sarkar blamed the state government for not providing enough personnel for the SIR exercise and said strict Election Commission measures would prevent bogus voting. The Trinamool Congress rejected the BJP’s allegations and instead blamed the Election Commission of India for failing to ensure the safety of its officials, while TMC general secretary Kunal Ghosh said the party does not support taking the law into its own hands.

Ghosh also questioned the Election Commission over the incident, asking why judicial officials were gheraoed for hours and holding the administration and police accountable. The TMC raised concerns over the alleged deletion of a large number of voter names from electoral rolls, particularly in Malda. West Bengal will go to polls in a two-phase assembly election on April 23 and 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.

Also Read: Andhra Pradesh Poll Irregularities Explained