Political unrest is intensifying across West Bengal following a major electoral setback for the Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee. The murder of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide Chandranath Rath has further heightened tensions in the state.
Chandranath Rath Murder: “A Pre-Planned Attack,” Says Suvendu Adhikari
Chandranath Rath was shot dead in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district, triggering widespread protests by BJP workers across the state.
Reacting to the killing, Suvendu Adhikari said:
“This was a cold-blooded, pre-planned murder. The attackers had conducted recce for days.”
Police have confirmed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the murder.
Security Around Mamata Banerjee’s Residence Scaled Down
Following the election results, national media reported that heavy security arrangements outside Mamata Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat, Kolkata, were withdrawn.
Key Changes Reported:
- Iron barricades removed
- Public access restored on the road near her residence
- Additional police deployment withdrawn
- Only Z+ category security retained
A senior police officer reportedly stated:
“Only the Z+ security will remain. The extra police personnel deployed beyond that were withdrawn.”
Residents said Harish Chatterjee Street, which had remained heavily restricted for years, was reopened for normal public movement.
Bulldozer Controversy: Alleged Attack on TMC Office
A major controversy erupted in Kolkata’s New Market area after allegations surfaced that BJP supporters used a bulldozer during a victory rally to demolish an office linked to a Trinamool-affiliated hawkers’ union.
According to reports:
- Around 500 BJP supporters participated in the rally
- A rented bulldozer was allegedly used
- The office structure was severely damaged
- Nearby shops also suffered losses
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda reportedly said:
“No permission was given for use of bulldozers during the rally.”
Authorities later reportedly imposed restrictions on the use of bulldozers during political rallies.
Old Party Offices Reopening
Reports and social media visuals from several districts suggest that Congress and Left party offices allegedly taken over or shut during previous political clashes are being reopened.
Some local reports and online posts claimed:
- A Congress office in Nadia district was reclaimed
- Several CPI(M) offices resumed functioning
However, these developments have not yet been fully verified through official government records or major national media confirmations.
Claims About Reopened Temples
Several social media posts have also claimed that temples allegedly shut down earlier due to intimidation or local tensions have reopened after the political shift.
At present, there are no officially verified government records or major national media reports fully confirming these claims. They should therefore be treated as unverified information.
Senior Officials Resign
Media reports suggest that several senior officials associated with the Chief Minister’s office have resigned following the election outcome.
Those reportedly resigning include:
- Alapan Bandyopadhyay
- H. K. Dwivedi
- Manoj Pant
Political observers believe these developments could lead to significant administrative restructuring in the state.
Current Situation in West Bengal
West Bengal is currently witnessing:
- Political retaliation allegations
- Attacks on party offices
- Security restructuring
- Administrative uncertainty
- Clashes in multiple districts
The situation remains tense as investigations and political confrontations continue.
