Tensions escalated in West Bengal’s Hooghly district ahead of the second phase of polling after a vehicle carrying Trinamool Congress MP Mitali Bag was allegedly vandalised on Monday. The incident occurred in the Arambagh area, intensifying the political atmosphere in the run-up to voting.
According to the MP, her car was attacked while she was on her way to attend a public meeting addressed by All India Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee. She alleged that individuals linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) carried out the assault. Armed with sticks and bricks, the attackers reportedly smashed the front windshield of her vehicle.
Bag claimed she was inside the car at the time of the incident and sustained injuries when shattered glass pierced her body. Despite her condition, she managed to reach a hospital and later went live on social media from inside the damaged vehicle.
Visibly shaken, she said, “I was on my way to the meeting when the attack happened. They tried to kill me. I somehow survived. I have done nothing wrong. The Election Commission is responsible for this. They have provoked this. (Home Minister) Amit Shah has provoked this. That is why BJP workers got the courage. Such violence is being encouraged before the polls. People of Arambagh will have to respond.”
The TMC leader has been admitted to Arambagh Medical College and is currently undergoing treatment.
The BJP, however, rejected the allegations, calling the incident staged. Party leaders claimed the MP was resorting to theatrics out of fear of electoral defeat.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has taken note of the incident.
Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal has directed that an FIR be registered and necessary action be initiated within five hours.
