ElectionRow – Suvendu Adhikari Alleges Wall Writing Erasure in Kolkata

ElectionRow – The political climate in West Bengal intensified on Friday after Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused members of the ruling Trinamool Congress of deliberately erasing campaign wall writings of the Bharatiya Janata Party in parts of Kolkata. The allegations come amid rising friction between the two parties ahead of key electoral contests in the state.

Video Shared From Behala Purba Constituency

Adhikari, a senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, shared a video on social media platform X claiming that Trinamool Congress activists removed at least ten BJP wall inscriptions in the Behala Purba Assembly constituency. The area falls under Ward No. 122 in South Kolkata, within the South 24 Parganas district.

In the video, individuals are seen painting over political messages written on walls. Adhikari described the act as a targeted attempt to suppress the opposition’s outreach efforts at the grassroots level. He suggested that such actions reflected nervousness within the ruling party as political campaigning gathers pace.

Allegations of Political Intimidation

In his post, Adhikari criticized what he termed as efforts to silence the opposition in a democratic framework. Without directly naming Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the video clip, he implied that the ruling leadership was responsible for fostering a climate where opposition visibility was being curtailed.

According to Adhikari, erasing wall writings would not weaken the BJP’s presence in the state. He asserted that political ideals cannot be removed by physical acts of vandalism and expressed confidence that voters would respond through democratic means.

He further claimed that public support remained the BJP’s primary strength and that citizens would ultimately decide the outcome through the ballot.

Pattern of Similar Incidents

This is not the first time such allegations have surfaced. Earlier this month, Adhikari shared another video purportedly showing Trinamool Congress workers tearing down and burning BJP flags in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency. Bhabanipur is represented by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In that instance, Adhikari had also accused the ruling party of engaging in acts designed to intimidate opposition supporters. The Trinamool Congress has not issued an immediate response to the latest set of allegations at the time of reporting.

Political Tensions Ahead of Elections

West Bengal has witnessed heightened political rivalry between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress in recent years. Campaign materials such as wall writings, flags, and posters continue to play a significant role in local political messaging, particularly at the booth and ward levels.

Incidents involving removal or defacement of campaign materials often lead to accusations from both sides, further intensifying the political atmosphere. Observers note that such disputes tend to become more frequent as elections approach and competition at the constituency level sharpens.

While both parties continue to mobilize supporters across districts, the focus now shifts to whether authorities will investigate the reported incidents and ensure adherence to electoral norms.

For now, the exchange highlights the continuing friction between the ruling party and the opposition in West Bengal’s evolving political landscape. As campaigning advances, political rhetoric is expected to remain sharp, with both sides seeking to consolidate support among voters.