Poll heat rises, clashes in Dhapa, Bhowanipore and Baranagar
Times of India | 15 April 2026
Kolkata: Clashes erupted across multiple parts of the city as tensions flared between supporters of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP, with incidents reported in Bhowanipore, Baranagar, and Dhapa between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
In Bhowanipore, violence broke out around 8.30 pm on Monday following allegations by BJP workers that Trinamool supporters had torn posters of Suvendu Adhikari, prompting protests outside the local police station and leading to the detention of three individuals.
In Baranagar's ward 7, Ghosh alleged that his supporters were attacked by followers of Trinamool candidate Sayantika Banerjee while they were carrying out election-related work. A complaint was lodged by BJP at the Baranagar police station around midnight. Tension escalated further when BJP supporters led by Ghosh gheraoed the police station and men from both the parties engaged in a heated argument and subsequent scuffle in front of the police station. Four persons were injured in the skirmish.
"Some Trinamool miscreants vandalised our stage and assaulted our workers," alleged Ghosh. Banerjee refuted the allegations, stating that Trinamool supporters were not involved. "As far as I have heard, it was a local issue arising out of a personal dispute. It is being given a political colour to malign the party," she said. During the probe, police reportedly found that the initial altercation stemmed from a dispute between two brothers of a local family.
Around the same time, another incident was reported from Gopal Lal Thakur Road, where a BJP worker, Rajib Mishra, was allegedly attacked. Mishra, a resident of ward 10 and known as an "old" BJP worker, was reportedly chased and beaten on the street. In a statement to the media, Mishra alleged that the attackers were "new" members of BJP.
On Tuesday morning, BJP candidate from Entally Priyanka Tibrewal alleged that Trinamool workers obstructed and attacked her while she was campaigning in the Dhapa area. Cops rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. On the basis of her complaint, the Election Commission has asked Kolkata Police to register two FIRs. Cops have detained seven persons, including six women.
Tibrewal said: "I went to the refugee camp in Tangra but Trinamool blocked us. CRPF rescued us. The same incident happened in Topsia. They had weapons. The police did not take any action."