TMC Worker Shot Dead in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman Ahead Of Panchayat Polls

A TMC worker was shot dead allegedly by two unidentified bike-borne assailants in Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district on Thursday morning, ahead of panchayat polls in West Bengal.

A Trinamool Congress activist was shot dead allegedly by two unidentified bike-borne assailants at Ketugram in Purba Bardhaman district Thursday morning.

A Trinamool Congress activist was shot dead allegedly by two unidentified bike-borne assailants at Ketugram in Purba Bardhaman district Thursday morning, ahead of panchayat polls in West Bengal.

A police officer said Dulal Sheikh, an active TMC worker in the area, was shot at point-blank range when he was sipping tea at a stall in Amgaria Bazar. Sheikh (50) was rushed to a nearby health centre where he was declared brought dead, he said.

"My father had been threatened with dire consequences by some people who belong to a rival faction of TMC in the area. He was involved in the supply of sand and building materials,” Sheikh’s son said.

TMC state vice president Joy Prakash Majumdar said "Ahead of the panchayat polls, BJP and CPI(M) are hatching a conspiracy to eliminate influential TMC members in different areas. It has to be investigated to find out whether Sheikh was a victim of any such plan." BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said, "TMC factions are involved in brutal attacks against each other. They are turning West Bengal into killing fields." CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty said, "TMC workers and leaders are now fighting over spoils from activities like sand mining, smuggling and supply of building materials. Such incidents will rise with polls drawing near.” 

Ahead Of Bengal Panchayat Elections, Chicken And Fruits On Mid-Day Meal Platter

Ahead of the panchayat elections due this year, the West Bengal government has decided to introduce chicken and seasonal fruits in mid-day meals for a four month period from January.

In addition to the existing midday meal menu of rice, potato, soybean and eggs, chicken and seasonal fruits will be served weekly once for additional nutrition under PM POSHAN, according to a notification. An amount of Rs 371 crore has been sanctioned for the extra nutrition scheme.

The move, however, triggered a political row, with the BJP questioning why such a decision was taken ahead of the panchayat elections due this year and Lok Sabha polls in 2024, while the Trinamool Congress accused the Opposition of "smelling politics in everything".

"The decision to serve chicken to school children ahead of elections raises questions about the change of heart of the TMC government. Why were poor children deprived of these items and only given rice and lentils till recently? The decision smacks of a political motive to secure votes as panchayat polls are around the corner," BJP leader Rahul Sinha said.