Trinamool accuses BJP of state-sponsored violence after party office vandalised

Under the saffron government in the northeastern state, Trinamool has accused the BJP of “state-sponsored political terrorism” in a political spat between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress over vandalism at the former’s Agartala headquarters.

At a press briefing in Kolkata’s Trinamool Bhavan, Bengal Minister Shashi Panja sharply criticised the Tripura government and police. “There is an intolerant and violent BJP government in Tripura. The incident that occurred on Monday demonstrates how those who claim to protect democracy are behaving otherwise. The video evidence is clear,” she said, claiming the vandalism occurred in the presence of police, who she termed “mute spectators”.

“This is state-sponsored political terrorism. There is no democracy left in Tripura. The police were standing there, watching as our party office was ransacked. Banamalipur, where Biplab Deb once contested, has now become a symbol of state terror,” Panja told reporters, while displaying photographs of the ransacked office.

In addition to releasing images, the Trinamool Congress charged BJP leaders Viki Prasad, Sushanta Deb (Vishalgarh MLA), and Asim Bhattacharya (BJP President) with direct involvement in the office’s looting and violence.

Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary, recalled earlier attacks on his convoy in Tripura and “strongly condemned” the act. “BJP claims to be the largest political party in the world, but what happened in Tripura shows its lumpen raj,” said party spokesperson Arup Chakraborty, who referred to the episode as “certified lumpen rule.”

Panja also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what she described as double standards: “Two days ago, the PM accused Bengal of lacking democracy and, without any evidence, blamed the TMC for attacks on BJP leaders. But what happened in Tripura proves the BJP’s hypocrisy. Those who lecture others on democracy are unleashing goons on the opposition,” she said.

The Minister alleged a “deliberate attempt” to create divisions among Bengalis, referring to “insulting the Bengali language.” She added, “According to the 2011 Census, 67 per cent of Tripura’s population is Bengali. Now there are attempts to pit one group against another. Our Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has always been able to sense such divisive politics.”

She further compared incidents in Bengal and Tripura, stating that when Trinamool Congress leaders were attacked in Tripura, they “had to bring them to Bengal for treatment”.

“That is the BJP’s idea of democracy,” she added, claiming police refused to register FIRs and local hospitals denied treatment to injured workers.

Panja alleged a “vindictive” approach by the BJP, saying, “They have stopped 100 days’ work and Awas Yojana funds in Bengal, while in Tripura, MNREGA funds were misappropriated without consequence.”

The Minister alleged a “deliberate attempt” to create divisions among Bengalis, referring to “insulting the Bengali language.” She added, “According to the 2011 Census, 67 per cent of Tripura’s population is Bengali. Now there are attempts to pit one group against another. Our Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has always been able to sense such divisive politics.”

She further compared incidents in Bengal and Tripura, stating that when Trinamool Congress leaders were attacked in Tripura, they “had to bring them to Bengal for treatment”.

In addition to releasing images, the Trinamool Congress charged BJP leaders Viki Prasad, Sushanta Deb (Vishalgarh MLA), and Asim Bhattacharya (BJP President) with direct involvement in the office’s looting and violence.

Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary, recalled earlier attacks on his convoy in Tripura and “strongly condemned” the act. “BJP claims to be the largest political party in the world, but what happened in Tripura shows its lumpen raj,” said party spokesperson Arup Chakraborty, who referred to the episode as “certified lumpen rule.”