12 Kolkata: There was tension in Baruipur on Wednesday when state leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari held a rally to protest against vandalism at temples and "mistreatment" of BJP MLAs in the assembly. As Trinamool Congress supporters shouted "go back" slogans and showed black flags, Adhikari demanded imposition of President's rule in Bengal.
Trouble erupted the moment Adhikari reached Baruipur. A crowd gathered on the side of the road with black flags and shouted "chor" (thief) as vehicles passed by carrying BJP supporters, who shouted back. Women carrying CM Mamata Banerjee's poster shouted slogans on maintaining religious unity in the state. As tension mounted, police at the spot made announcements, urging supporters of both political parties to stay calm.
Adhikari later alleged that stones were pelted and his car was attacked. "Trinamool's Gautam Das and Jayanta Bhadra orchestrated an attack with the help of hooligans. Women from SHG groups were forced to attend the demonstration. They were armed to attack BJP workers. They even mixed chilli powder in water to spray on the BJP workers," he claimed.
Adhikari's security officers managed to remove the crowd and make way for the convoy. At one point, the BJP neta was heard saying: "Let me die, but I will not let our supporters' blood be shed." While he claimed there were 3,000 BJP workers at the spot, Trinamool said there were 12,000.
Dismissing the state leader of opposition's claims, West Baruipur TMC block president Das said: "Adhikari is a traitor. People don't accept such traitors, and he faced people's anger. None of our workers attacked him. It is a figment of his imagination. He was pushed back by the people." Adhikari said BJP workers would gherao the Baruipur SP's office on March 27.