Kolkata: A couple of bikes, belonging to Tarak Das, Kolkata North BJP candidate Tapas Roy’s booth agent, and his brother, were set on fire around 2.30am on Thursday on J K Mitra Road in Belgachhia. No one has yet been arrested.
Das, who lodged a complaint at the Tala police station, alleged Trinamool-backed men had set the bikes on fire. “Several bikes, including Tarak’s and his brother’s, were parked along the road on Wednesday night.
The two were found ablaze around 2:30 am,” said a neighbour. “My brother is not involved in politics. I am with the BJP and a booth agent for the BJP candidate this year. That’s why my bike was set on fire. The bikes were half-charred,” Tarak claimed, adding he feared the shop he owned might also be set ablaze. Tarak’s accusations are directed at local Trinamool workers.
But Trinamool denied the allegation. KMC Ward 3 Trinamool councillor Devika Chakraborty said it could be a fallout of regular disputes over bike parking. “I learnt about the incident at night and spoke to them, assuring them of support. I advised them to claim insurance. It is being given a political hue because of polls, but it has no link with politics. Why would we give the opposition a weapon by causing an unpleasant incident?” she said.