Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury faced protests and "go-back" slogans during his election campaign in Baharampur on Sunday morning, with Trinamool Congress workers allegedly attempting to disrupt his outreach in multiple wards.
The incidents occurred as campaigning intensified ahead of the April 23 polling in Murshidabad district.
Protests at multiple locations
According to sources, Adhir Chowdhury began his campaign around 8 AM from Mohan Raipara in Ward No. 3 and continued till the Kantanagar Culvert area in Ward No. 8.
At Dayamayi Kalibari More in Ward No. 3, a group of Trinamool workers and supporters, led by councillor Uma Ghosh, raised "go-back" slogans when he arrived. Similar protests were reported later in Hota Sanko in Ward No. 7 and near Kantanagar Culvert in Ward No. 8.
Also Read | 'Must be checked properly': Mamata Banerjee flags EVM concerns ahead of Bengal polls
Police and central forces deployed from the Baharampur police station intervened to prevent escalation and ensured the campaign continued without major violence.
Congress workers alleged that while there were no physical clashes, attempts were made to obstruct and harass their candidate. A similar allegation of obstruction had also been reported on Saturday in Ward No. 19 of the Baharampur Municipality.
Leaders react to the incident
Responding to the protests, Adhir Chowdhury said, "I don't pay any heed to whoever was shouting from nooks and corners. The path to reach people is open. I will not accept any obstacle on that path. A thousand people can shout on the campaign trail."
Also Read | West Bengal Assembly polls: What does the new allowance directive really mean?
Trinamool candidate from Baharampur, Nadugopal Mukhopadhyay, dismissed the allegations. He said, "We have 23 councillors in the Baharampur Municipality. They will certainly come out to campaign for me. Now, we cannot stop our campaigning for Adhir Chowdhury's campaign. And to get coverage for his own campaign, he is trying to get more publicity by talking more and more about Trinamool's protests."
The developments highlight rising political tensions in Baharampur as parties step up campaigning ahead of the first phase of elections.
