Bharatiya Janata Party leader and West Bengal Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, encountered a security scare on Monday when his convoy was allegedly attacked in the Cooch Behar district of North Bengal. The incident occurred while he was traveling through the area as part of a political outreach program aimed at strengthening the BJP’s presence ahead of upcoming local body elections.
According to BJP sources, a group of unidentified individuals threw stones at Adhikari’s convoy near Sitalkuchi, a politically sensitive area. Party leaders alleged that the attackers were affiliated with the ruling Trinamool Congress. BJP workers accompanying Adhikari raised slogans and protested following the incident, demanding immediate action from law enforcement agencies.
Suvendu Adhikari was not injured in the attack, but the BJP has strongly condemned the incident, calling it a targeted attempt to silence opposition voices in the state. Addressing the media shortly after the incident, Adhikari said that the attack reflects the deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal. He also accused the state government of failing to provide adequate security to opposition leaders.
In response, Trinamool Congress leaders dismissed the allegations, claiming that the BJP was trying to politicize a minor incident for publicity. A local TMC spokesperson stated that no party workers from their side were involved in the alleged attack and suggested that the BJP was fabricating the story for electoral gains.
Local police authorities have confirmed that they received reports of a disturbance near Sitalkuchi and have launched an investigation. A senior police official stated that law enforcement teams were deployed to the area immediately after receiving information. Efforts are underway to identify those involved using CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing political tension in West Bengal, especially in regions like Cooch Behar where both parties are competing intensely. Political analysts note that such incidents reflect the deep-rooted rivalry between the BJP and the TMC and raise concerns about the safety of political leaders during public campaigns.
In recent months, multiple clashes between supporters of the two major political parties have been reported across various parts of West Bengal. The BJP has repeatedly accused the TMC-led state government of suppressing democratic dissent and using local police forces to intimidate opposition members. On the other hand, the TMC has accused the BJP of trying to destabilize the state with provocative politics.
As the investigation progresses, all eyes will be on how the state administration handles the situation. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have urged the central government to intervene and ensure the safety of opposition figures in politically volatile areas of the state.
The situation in Cooch Behar remains tense but under control as additional security forces have been deployed in the region. Authorities have appealed to the public and political workers to maintain peace and cooperate with the investigation.
