The TMC-BJP clash continues in West Bengal and has intensified after a 40-year-old man was killed on Saturday. The TMC has blamed the BJP for his death. However, the BJP hit back saying that the TMC poses a threat to anyone who doesn't agree with them.
Kolkata: The death of a 40-year-old Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader in Kolkata has once again led to political mudslinging.
Dilip Ram from the TMC, also the husband of Bandel Panchayat Pradhan Neetu Ram, was shot dead on Saturday morning and the party immediately blamed the BJP for his death. However, no arrest has been made yet.
TMC's blames come at a time when several BJP members died and fingers were pointed at the TMC for the same. TMC called for a 12-hour shutdown in Chinsurah on Sunday in protest against the murder.
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The incident took place near platform number 5 when Ram, was attempting to cross a railway fence.
“He was shot at his head from behind, when he was going to work today,” said a senior police official.
Sources said that a gunshot was heard and people rushed towards him. However, taking advantage of the crowd, the attackers managed to flee. He was found lying on the tracks.
Ram was rushed to Imambazar hospital in a critical condition. From there he was referred to a hospital in Kolkata. On his way to Kolkata, Ram succumbed to his injury near Serampore, added sources.
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“Ram was shot at point-blank range. A case will be registered by GRP and police will assist them. Prima facie it appears to be a planned murder. Investigation is on,” said police commissioner Akhilesh Chaturvedi.
The deceased’s wife, Neetu, claimed that he had been killed by anti-social elements of the area. However, TMC claimed that he had been murdered by the BJP.
TMC MLA Asit Majumdar said, “Ram has been murdered by BJP goons. He was my close associate, which didn’t go down well with the local BJP leader. They were insecure as he had a huge mass support. He was also threatened a few days ago. The BJP is trying to create a Bhatpara-like situation here.”
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However, BJP has hit back and stated that the TMC doesn’t spare anyone who doesn’t agree with them.
Zafar Islam, national spokesperson of the BJP, said, “We all know that anti-social elements are present in the TMC and they get state support, all thanks to senior leadership. Those who don’t agree with the TMC are threatened by their own goons.”
The BJP leader further stated that the TMC leader, who died, was killed by none other than TMC members themselves.
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“If you speak to the villagers and the locals, you would know about the atrocities. The TMC poses threat to their own,” added Zafar Islam.
Bhatpara, a TMC citadel for long and home to migrant jute factory labourers, has been witnessing frequent post-poll violence between the BJP and the TMC.
The fight has intensified ever since Arjun Singh crossed over from TMC to BJP and won the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat, under which Bhatpara falls.
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