Saffron Sparks in Bengal: Trinamul-BJP Clash as Modi Rath Faces Blockade
Police Intervene in Cooch Behar as "Grameen Samvad Yatra" Encounters Protests, Accusations Fly
Supporters of the Trinamul Congress and the BJP engaged in opposing demonstrations in Pundibari near Cooch Behar town on Wednesday, fueling tensions over the "rath yatra" — a nationwide outreach drive initiated by the saffron camp.
Both groups, armed with sticks, exchanged slogans, leading to police intervention and temporary traffic disruptions in the area. On Monday, a "rath," adorned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo, arrived in Cooch Behar as part of the saffron camp's plan to deploy 1,500 such vehicles nationwide before the Lok Sabha polls.
Named "Grameen Samvad Yatra," the drive aims to spotlight the achievements of the Modi government and inform residents about various central schemes, targeting those living in two-and-half lakh panchayats.
Upon the vehicle's arrival, Trinamul supporters, led by district chief Avijit De Bhowmik, protested in front of the district party office, accusing the Centre of depriving Bengal of funds. Police dispersed them and impounded the vehicle at Pundibari police station.
The following day, BJP leaders and around 300 supporters sought permission to proceed with the outreach drive but faced refusal, leading to a one-hour protest. Subsequently, BJP supporters marched in Pundibari, engaging in an altercation with Trinamul supporters near the local party office. Both sides exchanged slogans, escalating tensions for about 30 minutes.
A police contingent intervened, dispersing the groups, but the BJP supporters proceeded to NH17, erecting a blockade for another 30 minutes. Upon police instruction to disperse, they returned to the police station, staging a half-hour demonstration before leaving.
Sukumar Roy, the district BJP president, criticized the police, alleging bias favoring Trinamul. He accused Trinamul of obstructing the "rath yatra" to conceal central schemes and expose the state government's credit claims for renamed schemes.
Responding to these remarks, Rabindranath Ghosh, a former minister and state vice-president of Trinamul, asserted that the BJP had no right to conduct the drive, accusing them of depriving lakhs of poor state residents of their rightful dues. The verbal sparring highlights the escalating political tensions in Cooch Behar as both parties vie for narrative control over the "rath yatra."
