A campaign event in Bhabanipur turned tense on Saturday after a rally addressed by Mamata Banerjee was disrupted amid competing political gatherings in proximity. Supporters of the Trinamool Congress and the BJP came face to face, triggering a brief but heated confrontation ahead of the upcoming polls.
Reportedly, rallies by both parties were being held within a short distance of each other, contributing to an already charged atmosphere in the constituency.
During her address, Banerjee alleged that loudspeakers from a nearby BJP rally were interfering with her speech. The opposing event was scheduled to be addressed by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.
Citing difficulty in continuing under the circumstances, Banerjee chose to end her speech earlier than planned. Before stepping down, she apologised to the audience for not being able to continue and then left the venue. Her unexpected departure quickly altered the mood among those gathered.
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Supporters clash, police intervene
Shortly after Banerjee exited, a section of TMC supporters moved toward the nearby BJP gathering in protest. This led to slogan-shouting and a face-off between workers from both camps. With both groups assembling in close quarters, tensions escalated rapidly.
Security personnel intervened in time, separating the groups and preventing the situation from spiralling further. Authorities later confirmed that the unrest was brought under control after a brief period of confrontation.
Political reactions follow incident
Although Adhikari was not present when the clash began, he later criticised Banerjee and accused her of instigating disorder. He warned of a strong political response, using sharp remarks against the ruling party.
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BJP leader Amit Malviya also reacted, sharing videos from the site and claiming the episode reflected pressure within the TMC ahead of elections. He alleged that the development pointed to political unease within the party.
Bhabanipur remains a key battleground
Bhabanipur continues to be a crucial constituency in West Bengal politics and has long been considered a stronghold of Banerjee, who has represented the seat multiple times since 2011. Voting in the constituency is scheduled for April 29, with counting set for May 4.
