From Tehatta to Kolkata: Assault allegations in Fazilnagar, CPI(M) alleges TMC; Suvendu says ‘Muslims chanted Joy Bangla’ in Kalighat
The Statesman | 29 April 2026
Voting day in West Bengal’s Tehatta Assembly constituency saw tension rise after reports of violence and political clashes. Allegations of assault on voters, strong reactions from political leaders, and heavy police presence turned what should have been a peaceful democratic exercise into a charged atmosphere.
Trouble began in Fazilnagar, an area under the Tehatta Assembly constituency, where several voters claimed they were attacked while going to cast their votes. According to reports, the incident created fear among locals who were heading to polling stations early in the day.
CPI(M) candidate Subodh Chandra Biswas directly blamed workers linked to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the alleged assault. He said that such incidents were an attempt to stop people from voting freely.
However, the Trinamool Congress strongly denied all accusations. The party stated that it had no role in any violence and called the claims politically motivated.
The Tehatta Assembly seat is witnessing a multi-cornered contest this time. Candidates from major parties and independents are in the race, including Subrata Kabiraj (BJP), Jyotirmoy Sarkar (Congress), Subodh Chandra Biswas (CPI(M)), Dilip Kumar Poddar (AITC), Arabinda Biswas (BSP), Najbul Ansary (SUCI), Jamat Ali Mandal (AJUP), and several independent candidates like Milan Sarkar, Judhisthir Sarkar, and Samar Kumar Biswas.
Looking back at the 2021 Assembly elections, Tapas Kumar Saha of the Trinamool Congress won the seat with 97,848 votes. He secured 44.9% of the total vote share and won by a margin of 3.2%.
The BJP candidate Ashutosh Paul came second with 90,933 votes, while CPI(M)’s Subodh Chandra Biswas had secured 23,239 votes. Other candidates, including those from BSP and independent parties, received smaller vote shares.
Meanwhile, tension was not limited to Tehatta. In Kolkata’s Kalighat area, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari faced protests when he arrived on poll day.
Workers of the Trinamool Congress gathered and raised slogans like “Joy Bangla” during his visit. The situation quickly turned into a political face-off, drawing attention across the state.
Reacting to the incident, Adhikari made a controversial statement. He said, “The Muslims are chanting ‘Joy Bangla’. Hindus here. The Hindus are with the BJP.”