Bengal BJP chief Suvendu Adhikari and CM Mamata Banerjee.
Credit: PTI Photos
Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday alleged that two TMC MLAs were attacked by "riotous elements" associated with the ruling party in the state. The senior BJP leader also alleged that the miscreants who attacked the Hindu TMC MLAs are shielded by the ruling party itself for "reaping vote bank centric political dividends".
In a long post on X, Adhikari said that two Hindu MLAs -- Usha Rani Mondal and Sukumar Mahata -- belonging to the ruling TMC were attacked by gangs led by Abdul Khalek Molla and Abdul Kader Molla on Thursday when they were returning after attending inauguration ceremony of Kali Puja pandals.
He also attached two videos in the post where the two MLAs are seen showing their injuries and narrating the incidents.
"You created a monster, now it's biting you back. The Mamata Banerjee regime has given a long rope to a section of people for reaping vote bank centric political dividends. They extend full electoral support to the TMC Party and in exchange they go scot-free after targeting the majority community at will. The police and administration remain mute spectators as because these elements are associated with the ruling TMC party and they are weaponised against the Opposition, especially during the time of election. But as they say, what goes around comes around. Now, things are starting to get out of control. These riotous elements have started to target the Hindu MLAs of the TMC Party, (sic)" Adhikari said.
He further warned the people of West Bengal that a "grave catastrophe" is awaiting, and added that only BJP can "tame the demon and put it back in the bottle".
Mondal told police that she was forced out of her vehicle and assaulted, with several gunshots fired during the incident.
"I was forced to come out of my vehicle and assaulted. Several rounds of bullets were fired," she said.
She claimed the attack was orchestrated by a leader who was suspended from the party for illegal activities ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Mahata claimed that miscreants assaulted and injured some of his party members, one of whom had to be hospitalised.
"As I was returning home after inaugurating a Kali puja pandal, some miscreants attacked my vehicle. Some of our partymen, trailing my vehicle, were beaten up and one had to be hospitalised," Mahata said.
He alleged that a rival faction, sidelined for illegal activities, was responsible for the attack.
Police have launched investigations into both incidents, with at least two arrests made so far and a manhunt under way.
(With PTI inputs)