In a show of unwavering solidarity, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organized widespread protests across West Bengal following a brazen attack on senior leader Suvendu Adhikari. What began as a routine campaign stop turned violent, spotlighting the state’s deepening political divide under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Details emerged of the incident in Nandigram, where Adhikari’s vehicle was pelted with stones by a mob allegedly linked to TMC cadres. The former IPS officer escaped unharmed but not before his security detail fired warning shots. BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya leveled explosive charges, alleging the state machinery’s complicity in shielding the perpetrators.
Protests swelled from Kolkata to the districts, with BJP youth wing members leading road blockades and effigy burnings of Mamata Banerjee. ‘The queen of Bengal has turned her state into a jungle raj,’ proclaimed a fiery speech by Union Minister Nisith Pramanik. Data cited by protesters highlighted a surge in political murders, with BJP claiming 52 workers killed since 2021.
Responding sharply, TMC accused Adhikari of fabricating the attack for sympathy votes. ‘He’s the king of drama,’ quipped a party spokesperson, pointing to past controversies. Yet, the opposition’s outrage found echo among civil society, with many demanding an impartial investigation beyond state police control.
The day’s events culminated in pitched battles with law enforcement, resulting in injuries on both sides. As videos of the mayhem went viral, national media descended on Bengal, framing it as a preview of electoral volatility. BJP’s high command has signaled plans for a statewide agitation, aiming to portray TMC as anti-democratic.
This flare-up underscores West Bengal’s fragile peace, where old grievances from the 2021 elections fester. Adhikari, who famously wrested Nandigram from Mamata, remains a thorn in TMC’s side. With urban discontent rising over governance lapses, the BJP hopes this moment galvanizes its base for a stronger 2026 push. The coming days will test the state’s administrative resilience.
