Offices of TMC in Bengal vandalized, BJP denies responsibility.

In Kolkata, there have been reports of damage and defacement at Trinamool Congress (TMC) offices across West Bengal following the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) victory in the Assembly polls on Monday. However, the saffron party has denied any involvement in these incidents, according to officials. The TMC has stated that after the poll trends became clear, "miscreants" gathered outside their offices in Baruipur, Tufanganj, and Panihati, and caused vandalism.

A local TMC leader alleged that at the Baruipur office, flex boards, and banners were torn, and photographs of TMC leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee were thrown on the ground. In response, a senior police officer shared that security forces were deployed in the area, and the crowd was dispersed from the party office. In Jamuria, a TMC party office was reportedly set on fire by unidentified individuals, as stated by another senior police officer.

In Asansol, a TMC office was also damaged, with a party leader accusing BJP supporters of being responsible. Similarly, in Panihati, the TMC claimed that their party office was taken over after flex boards and flags were removed and replaced with saffron color and lotus symbols. There were even videos of a mob, displaying BJP flags, vandalizing a club in the Kasba area, but the police intervened and persuaded them to leave.

A senior police officer stated that a case has been filed against the unidentified individuals, and law enforcement is actively searching for them. On the other hand, the BJP has denied any involvement in these incidents. However, TMC candidate Trinankur Bhattacharya from Nowapara in North 24 Parganas was allegedly assaulted by BJP supporters while leaving a counting center in Barrackpore.

But, senior BJP leader Arjun Singh, who is also the Nowapara candidate, denied these allegations, claiming that these incidents were a result of internal disputes within the TMC. A TMC leader argued that the lack of action from the police has given the opportunity for "miscreants" sheltered by the BJP to carry out coordinated attacks on TMC activists and supporters. In response, a senior police officer mentioned that Bhattacharya had gotten into an argument with BJP workers and was assaulted while leaving the counting center.

Fortunately, personnel from central forces and others present were able to safely escort him out of the area. An Election Commission official has stated that they have instructed the police and security forces to maintain peace and prevent any attacks on party candidates or their supporters. Overall, the situation remains tense and under control, and police are actively investigating these incidents.

This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates. Stay tuned to Orissa POST, Odisha's No.1 English daily for the latest news.