Elections – FIR Filed Against TMC Candidate Over Alleged Kolkata Vandalism
Elections – An FIR has been registered by Kolkata Police against Trinamool Congress candidate Ratna Chattopadhyay and several others following allegations of vandalism in the Parnasree locality of south Kolkata, officials confirmed on Monday. The case comes at a time when campaigning for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections is in full swing.
Police Action and Arrests Reported
According to police officials, the complaint was formally recorded on April 5 after reports of unrest in the area surfaced during election campaigning. Authorities have already taken action, arresting six individuals in connection with the incident. Among those detained is one person whose name appears in the FIR.
Investigators stated that preliminary findings suggest direct involvement of the arrested individuals in acts of vandalism. Police have launched a detailed probe to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine the exact role of each accused.
Allegations of Assault and Property Damage
The FIR was lodged following a complaint by BJP leader Manoj Halder. In his statement, Halder accused Chattopadhyay and six others of obstructing him and his associates during campaign activities. He further alleged that one of his colleagues was physically attacked during the confrontation.
The complaint also claimed that electronic equipment, including laptops, was taken from the BJP party office. In addition to this, Halder alleged that flags and banners placed outside the office were damaged, contributing to tension in the locality.
Separate Complaint by BJP Candidate
In a related development, BJP candidate from Behala Paschim, Indranil Khan, also approached the Parnasree police station with a separate complaint. He alleged that workers associated with the Trinamool Congress targeted and vandalised his party’s election office.
Police officials have not yet confirmed whether both complaints are being investigated jointly or as separate cases. However, authorities indicated that all aspects of the incident are under review.
Election Commission Seeks Detailed Report
The matter has also drawn the attention of the Election Commission. An official confirmed that a report has been requested from district authorities regarding the incident.
The Commission has made it clear that any breach of the Model Code of Conduct will be addressed strictly. Officials emphasized that appropriate action will be taken if violations are established during the investigation.
No Immediate Response from Accused
As of now, Ratna Chattopadhyay has not issued any public statement regarding the allegations. The Trinamool Congress has also not responded officially to the accusations made in the complaint.
Political observers note that such incidents often heighten tensions during election periods, especially in closely contested constituencies.
Polling Date Approaches Amid Tensions
The Behala Paschim Assembly constituency, located in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, is scheduled to go to polls on April 29. With voting day approaching, authorities are expected to maintain heightened vigilance to prevent further disturbances.
Security arrangements are likely to be reviewed in sensitive areas to ensure that campaigning and polling proceed without disruption.