Midnapore's Dilip Ghosh takes tough Durgapur fight to TMC camp
Times of India | 14 May 2024
BURDWAN: What started with a courteous and warm hug between the two warring sides at Burdwan-Durgapur in the morning turned into stone pelting and lathi-charge as the day progressed. Barely 30 minutes after he exchanged greetings with the Trinamool candidate Kirti Azad at Kusumgram, BJP's Dilip Ghosh was attacked by rivals. Four villagers were injured when his security guards wielded lathis to disperse the mob.Later in the afternoon, his convoy was attacked again, injuring his security personnel.
Ghosh, who started reaching out to booths in the morning, reached Kusumgram while heading to Manteswar. Azad, who was nearby, noticed Ghosh's convoy and asked him to make a halt. Ghosh got down from the car and they hugged each other. Ghosh left the spot and headed to Tulla village around 15 kms from Kusumgram.
"I had reports that our agent was driven out of the booth and I went to the village," Ghosh said. The moment he got down from the car, locals gathered shouted "go back" slogan. Ghosh tried to reason them out but women sat in front of his car. As Ghosh's security guards wielded lathis, an irate mob pelted stones at them and at least one media vehicle was damaged.
"The poll was going peacefully but BJP came here to disturb the process. We cannot be blamed if they were unable to depute a polling agent. Four villagers were injured after his security guards lathi-charged," said Babar Ali Khan, a villager. Azad reached the spot after a while and claimed that the BJP was trying to incite violence.
Ghosh's convoy came under attack again when he reached the Kalna Gate area. Locals pelted bricks at his convoy and the rear windshield of the escort vehicle was shattered, leaving a jawan injured. "He had gone to the booths with an intention to create trouble. His statements during the campaign had been very aggressive. We can't blame anyone for shouting 'go back' slogans," Azad said.
Azad, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, started the day with a round of cricket with the kids in Durgapur. By afternoon, he had traversed across Galsi, Bardhaman Dakshin, Bardhaman Uttar, Bhatar and Manteswar. While he stopped for lunch break, reports of agitation at Tulla village came in. Azad rushed to the village. "BJP has lost its credibility here. That is why they are resorting to instigating villagers. We will win by 1 lakh margin," he said.
Meanwhile, BJP alleged their age-nt at Belpukur GFSP School was threatened with dire consequences. CPM alleged their agents were not allowed in some booths. At Durgapur, TMC supporters shouted "Joy Bangla" to CPM candidate Sukriti Ghoshal when he was coming out of a booth. "Polling was peaceful and the EC responded to the complaints. Whenever an issue was reported, the quick response team reached the spot soon," said Ghoshal.