Clashes erupt between TMC and BJP workers in Kolkata ahead of PM Modi rally

 Kolkata : Tension gripped parts of Kolkata on Saturday after clashes broke out between workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of a rally addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The incident occurred near Girish Park in the central part of the city, around five kilometres from Brigade Parade Ground, where the Prime Minister was scheduled to address a massive public gathering.

According to BJP leaders, the clash began when party workers were marching towards the rally venue while raising slogans in support of the Prime Minister. They alleged that stones were suddenly thrown at them in some areas, triggering chaos and confrontation between supporters of the two parties.

A BJP worker told a Bengali news channel that their group was attacked without any provocation. “Stones were thrown at us without any reason. They also abused us verbally,” he claimed.

Eyewitnesses said that supporters from both sides engaged in stone pelting and shouted slogans against each other, creating a tense atmosphere in the locality. Several vehicles parked in the area were reportedly damaged during the clash.

However, local leaders of the Trinamool Congress rejected the allegations made by the BJP. TMC workers claimed that BJP supporters first provoked them by shouting abusive slogans and later began throwing stones, which led to the confrontation.

TMC members also alleged that stones were thrown at the residence of a local party leader during the incident.

Following the clash, police rushed to the spot and deployed a large number of personnel to bring the situation under control. Security has also been tightened in several parts of the city to prevent further violence.

The incident took place just about half an hour before the Prime Minister’s rally at Brigade Parade Ground. The event marks the concluding programme of the BJP’s statewide campaign programme ahead of the upcoming political battle in West Bengal.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and additional security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the rally proceeds without further disruption.