After the BJP cancelled its protest march in Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district amid growing tension with rival TMC, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday called for the imposition of President’s rule in West Bengal for “free and fair” Assembly elections due next year.

“The Election Commission should see what happened today. It was proved today that without imposing President’s rule in West Bengal, Assembly elections cannot be conducted properly,” the BJP leader said.

Adhikari’s demand came as TMC and BJP supporters were on the verge of a clash during his protest march against Speaker Biman Banerjee in the latter’s home constituency of Baruipur.

As Adhikari and other BJP MLAs reached Baruipur, their convoy was stopped by TMC Trinamool supporters who raised “Go Back” slogans and showed black flags. Adhikari alleged that TMC workers attacked his vehicle. “My vehicle was attacked with lathi and water mixed with mirchi powder. Had I not been inside, my head would have exploded. The police remained mute spectators,” Adhikari said.

Reacting to Adhikari’s demand for President’s rule, TMC state vice-president Jaiprakash Majumdar said, “The BJP will be routed in the next year’s Assembly polls. We are not worried. People now understand Adhikari.”

Later, Adhikari announced a fresh protest march on March 27 from BJP’s Baruipur district office to SP’s office.   — With PTI