West Bengal's AITC alleges BJP-backed intimidation after MLA assault

The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Wednesday levelled serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party, claiming the saffron party is engaged in a calculated campaign of political intimidation across West Bengal. The accusation follows an incident in which party MLA Bibhas Sardar was allegedly assaulted while returning to his residence in Joynagar, located in South 24 Parganas district.

According to the AITC, the attack on Sardar represents part of a broader pattern of violence targeting the party and its functionaries. Party representatives characterized the incident as a deliberate attempt to suppress political opposition through intimidation and physical violence, rather than democratic engagement.

The AITC, which currently governs West Bengal under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has previously accused the BJP of employing aggressive tactics to expand its political footprint in the state. The party's claims highlight escalating political tensions in the region ahead of future electoral contests.

The BJP has not yet issued an official response to the AITC's allegations. Local authorities in South 24 Parganas have initiated preliminary investigations into the reported assault on the MLA, officials said.