The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought a report from the office of West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari regarding the alleged attack on his convoy by ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters near Purulia late Saturday evening. According to BJP sources, Adhikari’s office will send video recordings of the incident to the MHA.
Adhikari alleged that the incident occurred around 8.20 pm while he was returning from Purulia. When his convoy crossed the four-point crossing in the Chandrakona Road Market area in West Midnapore district, some TMC supporters carrying the party flag allegedly blocked the road and attacked his convoy with bamboo sticks.
Adhikari further alleged that the local police did not arrive at the scene when the incident occurred. He said he was uninjured due to the bulletproof glass of the vehicle he was travelling in. Some local BJP supporters, along with his security team, removed the TMC supporters, leading to a scuffle, he added.
Tonight approximately around 8:20 PM, while I was returning from Purulia, at Chandrakona Road; Paschim Medinipur district, I was viciously attacked by TMC goons. These cowards, emboldened by the Mamata Banerjee regime's culture of violence and impunity, attacked me right in the… pic.twitter.com/caM0JshS4y
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) January 10, 2026
After leaving the location, he went directly to the beat house police outpost and sat on a dharna for nearly six hours, claiming that the police were assigning bailable sections to the alleged attackers.
Adhikari addressed the media at the police station on Saturday, stating, “We are here seeking justice. I have provided the names of those involved. An FIR must be registered, and those responsible should be arrested. They arrived with bamboo sticks and attacked two cars, not knowing which one I was in. They also had a can of petrol with them.”
He further alleged, “The elections are approaching, and they know they are losing. That is why they want to eliminate the BJP from West Bengal.”
Taking to social media, Adhikari claimed that the attack occurred in the presence of police officers who failed to intervene.
Adhikari ended his nearly six-hour sit-in at the police station and announced that he will approach the Calcutta High Court regarding this issue. He also indicated that a protest rally is planned for Tuesday in Chandrakona.
BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar said, “The attack on Suvendu Adhikari occurred in the presence of police. These incidents are recurring, and this is unacceptable. The Chief Minister appears to want these attacks to occur so that, if the Centre takes strict action, she can seek public sympathy and return to power. We hope that violence does not escalate before the elections, but if necessary, central forces should be deployed now.”
TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty told The Indian Express, “Suvendu Adhikari, who can’t even control a stick, will take responsibility for a state? It was Adhikari who instructed his Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) security to carry out a lathi charge. His security, not recognising those from the BJP, ended up assaulting Adhikari’s own party workers.”
This was not the first time the Leader of the Opposition’s convoy had been attacked, allegedly by TMC supporters. In August 2025, Adhikari’s convoy was attacked in Cooch Behar town, North Bengal.