While the TMC blamed the BJP workers for the murder, the BJP has denied the allegation.

Police sources identified the deceased as Sanatan Ghosh, a milk vendor and a resident of Hariharpara. Ghosh and two other milk traders were returning home from Gaznipur on a bike when the alleged attack happened, the police said.

The assailants allegedly blocked Ghosh’s way in an area between Gaznipur and Sripur, Ghosh was shot multiple times from close range. He succumbed to injuries before reaching the hospital, the police said.

Ghosh’s family members have accused the local BJP workers of killing him. According to the TMC, the BJP had allegedly approached Ghosh multiple times to switch over, but he had refused. “BJP goons targeted him after he declined to join their party. They believe in such politics, but murder is not acceptable. We demand an immediate arrest of the killers,” a local TMC leader said.

Denying the allegation, a local BJP leader said, “Across the state, the TMC is killing our party workers, looting our houses and setting our houses on fire.”

West Bengal Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP claimed last week in a letter to Governor C V Ananda Bose that 10,000 BJP workers and their families were in safe houses amid allegations of violence after the announcement of Lok Sabha election results on June 4. The Calcutta High Court has also directed the West Bengal Police to open a new email ID for post-poll violence victims to register their respective complaints.

In the election, the TMC won 29 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats, and the BJP won 12.

Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: Full list of winners