Kolkata, April 4 – The West Bengal Police have initiated disciplinary action against IC Berhampore and taken legal action against four members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, for unlawful obstruction during the election campaign. This was revealed by a senior official of the Bengal Police on Saturday evening.
The action was taken following heightened tensions in Berhampore, Murshidabad district, on Saturday morning due to the Congress's election campaign.
Congress candidate Adhir Chowdhury was campaigning with his workers and supporters when he allegedly encountered obstacles from the TMC as soon as he entered Ward No. 19 of the city.
According to a senior Congress leader and former MP, "The Trinamool Congress is systematically creating obstacles in the campaigning. They are scared of the election results and are resorting to violence and intimidation."
However, local Trinamool councillor Bhishmadev Karmakar dismissed these allegations. He said, "He is a traitor. He is trying to create chaos by bringing in outsiders. The local people have protested against him."
It is alleged that Adhir was prevented from campaigning by local TMC members as soon as he entered Ward No. 19 with his workers and supporters.
Slogans such as "go back" and "joy bangla" were raised against him. There was a scuffle between supporters of both parties, and the police tried to bring the situation under control.
Local Trinamool leadership alleged that Adhir Chowdhury is trying to disrupt peace and law and order in the area by bringing in miscreants from outside.
Bhishmadev said: "Our procession was going on when Congress workers tried to attack us. If Adhir Chowdhury thinks he will bring in outsiders and try to regain his lost ground, he is wrong. The people of the area do not want him."
Both sides will file a complaint with the Election Commission.
Incidentally, Adhir Chowdhury was also the subject of protests on Friday night. A group of TMC leaders and workers shouted "go back" slogans when they saw him. The incident took place on Abdus Samad Road in Berhampore.
A district Congress leader is admitted to a nursing home there due to illness. Adhir went to see him. On his return, Trinamool workers allegedly shouted "go back" slogans on seeing him.
District Congress spokesperson Jayanta Das said: "The Trinamool will get the third position in the election. They are doing this knowing their assured defeat."
Following that incident, West Bengal Police initiated disciplinary action against IC Berhampore and took legal action against four accused Trinamool members for unlawful obstruction caused during the election campaign.