The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has warned of political violence and “masquerading” in West Bengal in the wake of post-poll friction between the party and the ruling party. Trinamool Congress (TMC). This came after Mamata Banerjee’s party claimed that BJP men beat up and left an old woman bleeding on the road after the party’s victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
The BJP alleged that elements associated with the so-called ‘Goonda Vahini’ of the TMC were trying to impersonate party workers in order to mislead the public and create chaos.
“We have learned that elements of Trinamool’s so-called ‘Gunda Vahini’ are trying to impersonate BJP workers to mislead people and create chaos,” the party said in a statement on X website.
The BJP warned that it would not tolerate any such actions, saying strict legal action would be taken against anyone found to be involved in impersonation, intimidation or illegal behaviour.
“The BJP will not tolerate such deception. Anyone found involved in impersonation, intimidation or taking the law into their own hands will face strict legal consequences. The full force of the law will be enforced against these criminal elements,” the statement added.
BJP said The people of Bengal voted for change and promised strict enforcement of law and order.
“The era in which crime and governance went hand in hand is over. The next government is committed to restoring the rule of law, ensuring accountability, and protecting every citizen without fear or favour,” the report said, adding that there would be “no zero tolerance for violence, intimidation or political disavowal.”
The statement came in response to the TMC’s allegations a day earlier, in which the ruling party accused BJP-linked groups of organizing violence during the “victory parade”.
In its social media post, the TMC alleged that a “BJP mischief maker brutally assaulted an elderly woman” in Ward No. 1 of Alipurduar, alleging that the woman was left injured on the road. The party also questioned whether the central forces were adequately ensuring law and order after the elections, alleging that no action had been taken in preventing such incidents.
The TMC also shared a video showing an elderly woman lying injured on a street while individuals carrying BJP flags were seen leaving the area on motorcycles. The party described the incident as evidence of “Gundagardi” and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
“The violent face of the BJP has been exposed. Bengal will not tolerate this barbarity. Every drop of blood shed will be answered,” the TMC said in its statement.
West bengal assembly election results
The Bharatiya Janata Party was defeated Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year TMC fort on May 4. The West Bengal Chief Minister has now refused to resign after the election defeat, claiming that the result was not a reflection of the public mandate but a “conspiracy”.
Addressing a press conference, Banerjee accused the BJP of unwarranted interference in the polls and misusing central forces to influence the outcome. She claimed that the elections were not conducted fairly and said that the Transitional Military Council would continue its political battle and challenge the results.
“There is no doubt that I will resign. We were defeated not by public mandate but by conspiracy,” she said, adding that the party “fought like tigers and will bounce back.”
Banerjee also alleged intimidation of party workers, alleging that some had switched to the BJP out of fear, though she said she would not oppose it if she ensured their safety.
She further said that the TMC’s struggle was not only against the BJP but also against the Election Commission.
She thanked India Bloc leaders for their support, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and others, and said she would continue to work with the alliance.
Warning the BJP, Banerjee said that political power is not permanent and claimed that history may repeat itself.
