BJP National Vice President Dilip Ghosh, who was campaigning for the Bhabanipur Assembly bypoll in support of party candidate Priyanka Tibrewal on Monday, 27 September, said Trinamool Congress workers attacked him and his party workers, which forced him to cut short his campaign.
Ghosh allegedly faced 'go back' slogans and was heckled by TMC workers inside a vaccination centre.
Sharing clips of the alleged attack on Twitter, Ghosh said: "How safe is the life of the common man in this state when public representative is being attacked in Bhabanipur, the home turf of Madam Chief Minister? The planned attack at Jagubabur Bazaar , Bhawanipore today was a plot to kill me by TMC goons and thugs . This highlights the heinous, horrific nature of the ruling party. Can healthy elections be conducted after this incident ?? (sic)."
Ghosh also accused TMC workers of attacking the police.
"At Bhabanipur, Mamata's brothers has beaten up the police itself. Where police, public representatives are being attacked then what is the situation of general public? This is nothing but a form of threatening people so that they dont come out to vote (sic)," he said.
'TMC Workers Abused Me'
Speaking to the media, Ghosh later said that the attackers had guns with them.
"While I was campaigning in Bhabanipur today, TMC workers hurled abuses at me. I was meeting some people at a vaccination centre when some people suddenly surrounded me and started jostling. One of our workers was badly beaten," he said.
"I was also attacked. My security tried to stop it and they brought out their guns to scare the attackers. Arjun Singh was also surrounded, and he was forced to leave the area amid 'go back' slogans. Local police didn't help."Dilip Ghosh
Ghosh said that the Election Commission was aware of everything. "We've complained to them several times in Delhi and Kolkata. Despite this, no security arrangement was made. There is no point of holding polls if we can't reach out to voters. People are living in constant fear."
'Spontaneous Protests, No Harm Done to Him': TMC
Meanwhile, the TMC said that the protests were spontaneous and that Ghosh was in an area where there was resentment against him.
"Dilip Ghosh went to an area where there's resentment against him. There was a spontaneous protest against him. Dilip Ghosh escaped and his security personnel pointed guns at the crowd," TMC MP Saugata Roy told ANI.
"Ultimately no harm was done to him as I saw pictures of him smiling and chanting 'Jai Shree Ram' and going away. All this was a drama to get attention. We want to see a peaceful campaign during whatever time is left," he added.
TMC leader Firhad Hakim, a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, accused the BJP of "resorting to provocation sensing defeat," reported NDTV.
"It is better to ignore them. Common people are protesting against them for spreading hatred, falsehood, and personal attacks," Hakim was quoted as saying by NDTV.
Meanwhile, the TMC took to social media to attack the BJP.
"BJP hits a new low. How dare a gun be aimed at (the) public in broad daylight? Do people not have the right to protest against leaders they do not support? Such blatant violation of human rights is shameful! This compromises the safety and security of people in Bhabanipur!"
BJP Writes to Election Commission
The BJP wrote to the Election Commission demanding action and alleged that there was no police present.
Meanwhile, Tibrewal, who is contesting against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, said that Banerjee "does not care about the lives of civilians and only loves her seat."
"CM Mamata Banerjee is instigating attacks on people so that she can maintain her post," she was quoted as saying by ANI.
BJP worker Agnimitra Paul said,"TMC government including CM Mamata Banerjee are intolerant, not allowing us to campaign. TMC hooligans tortured our workers, beat them. Decide before you vote on 30 September."
Monday was the last day for campaigning for the bypoll, which will be held on 30 September. Banerjee must win to remain chief minister of West Bengal.
(With inputs from ANI and NDTV.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)