BJP MP from Darjeeling, Raju Bista’s convoy on Saturday was allegedly attacked when it was passing through Masdhura area near Sukhia Pokhri, police said.

Bista claimed that “unknown miscreants” pelted stones at his convoy, damaging the vehicle.

A complaint in this regard was lodged by the BJP at the Jorebunglow Police Station, a senior officer said.

“In Masdhura, near Sukhia Pokhari today, my convoy was attacked by unknown miscreants. Though those cowards had attacked me, the force of the attack fell on the vehicle immediately behind mine. The timing of the attack, following the announcement of an Interlocutor for our region, is highly suspicious, and points to a conspiracy at disturbing peace in our region. If those who are loyal to Kolkata think that we will be fazed due to such attacks, they are wrong. We are not scared, and such cowardly attacks only embolden our spirits,” the BJP MP posted on his X handle.

He also said that those who had attempted to disturb peace would not be allowed to succeed in their nefarious attempts. “I am warning those who have tried to disturb peace today, we will not allow your nefarious attempts to succeed. We will work towards lasting peace in our region, and no force on earth can stop that from happening.”

According to news agency PTI, a police officer said a stone hit the vehicle in which Bista’s close aide and BJP worker Sanjeev Lama was seated.

“It was a small stone that appeared to have hit the car. We are probing the matter,” he said.

The Bengal BJP leadership, meanwhile, has alleged that Trinamool Congress was behind the attacks.

Former BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar condemned the attack and claimed that the attack was carried out by hired miscreants. “Following the recent attacks on hon’ble MP from Malda North, Shri Khagen Murmu, and hon’ble MLA from Siliguri, Shri Shankar Ghosh, yet another despicable and cowardly conspiracy unfolded today. This time targeting our Hon’ble MP from Darjeeling, Shri @RajuBistaBJP Ji, through hired miscreants. In the sudden assault, the vehicle behind his car was damaged, but by the grace of the Almighty, Raju ji is safe,” he said.

He also said that the BJP in Bengal would not be intimidated by such attacks.

“I strongly condemn this vile attack. To those orchestrating this filthy conspiracy, my message is crystal clear, the people of North Bengal are vigilantly monitoring every moment of your lawlessness. The people of North Bengal, and indeed all of Bengal, will ensure a fitting response to such disgraceful conduct. The @BJP4Bengal does not fear attacks carried out through hired goons, and neither a BJP public representative nor a Karyakarta can ever be intimidated or silenced,” Majumdar said.

The incident comes days after a mob attacked BJP MP Khagen Murmu and BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh during their visit to flood-hit Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district, earlier this month. Murmu sustained critical injuries as their vehicle was allegedly ransacked.

The ruling Trinamool Congress, meanwhile, described Saturday’s incident as the result of an internal feud within the BJP. “People in the hills are tired of the BJP’s fake promises and double standards. I do not know what happened there today, but it could be the result of the party’s internal feud,” TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh told PTI.

— with PTI