New Delhi: Malda's Ratua was transformed into a battlefield on Sunday during the High Madrassa Management Committee elections as two factions of the Trinamool Congress clashed in the Batna area of Ratua.
The clash ensued as two factions of the ruling party fielded candidates separately for six seats in the Batna High Madrassa. The issue had already created tension in the area in the run up to the polls.
However, on Sunday, the rift within the Malda TMC was out in the open as supporters of the two factions got involved in a skirmish within a couple of hours of the start of the polling.
Many people from both sides were injured. Several bikes and electoral camps were also vandalised.
Soon after the violence broke out, a large police contingent had to be deployed at the scene to bring the situation under control.
"We were told at least three people have been seriously injured. One of them received bullet injuries," the police officials said.
As per reports, security in the area has been stepped up and the injured have been admitted to Malda Medical College Hospital.
Fazlur Haque, former Trinamool president of Ratua block 1, said, "Here we fielded six candidates after talking to the block president. But they re-nominated separately. We also have candidates. They also have candidates.”
When asked about the complaint of the former block president of Trinamool, the Ratua Trinamool MLA did not want to comment.
Two TMC Workers Killed In Bomb Blast In Bengal’s Birbhum
Two ruling Trinamool Congress workers on a motorbike were killed when bombs were hurled at them in West Bengal’s Birbhum district ahead of the panchayat polls, PTI reported.
While the opposition BJP and the Congress alleged that the killings were a result of the TMC’s infighting, the ruling party blamed the grand old party of India.
The superintendent of police of the district was transferred within 24 hours of the incident, though the administration alleged that the move is not related to the killings.
Bengal BJP MLA Suman Kanjilal Joins TMC
West Bengal BJP MLA Suman Kanjilal joined the Trinamool Congress in Kolkata ahead of the panchayat elections due in the state this year, the TMC said in a statement.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee handed over the party flag to Kanjilal, a first-time MLA representing the Alipurduar constituency.
BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said Kanjilal's leaving the party will not have any impact on the saffron camp.
"Yet another @BJP4Bengal MLA realises the truth that BJP has no intention to serve people," the Mamata Banerjee-led party tweeted.
Notably, Kanjilal is the sixth BJP member of the Bengal Assembly to have switched sides after the 2021 polls.