Kolkata, April 5 – Tensions escalated once again during Congress candidate Adhir Chowdhury’s campaign rally in Berhampore, Murshidabad district, West Bengal, on Sunday, where he encountered ‘go back’ slogans from Trinamool Congress supporters in three different locations.
Incidentally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to hold an election rally in Berhampore later in the day. Meanwhile, a large number of central forces and police were deployed to avoid any untoward incident.
Earlier in the morning, Adhir Chowdhury, the Congress candidate for the Baharampur Assembly constituency, began his campaign. He started his procession from the Mohan Roy Para intersection in Ward No. 5 of the Berhampore Municipality. He primarily conducted his campaign on foot, accompanied by local Congress leaders and party workers. Following the unrest on Saturday, a heavy contingent of central forces and police personnel were deployed from the very start of the campaign on Sunday.
However, he faced ‘go back’ slogans at three locations – in the Dayamoyee Kali Bari area of ward number 3, Dayanagar intersection, and Kandnagar Road – where Trinamool Congress workers were protesting. The police and central forces present there managed to control the situation.
It may be noted that on Saturday evening, the West Bengal Police took disciplinary action against the IC (Inspector-in-Charge) of Berhampore and initiated action against four accused Trinamool Congress members for unlawful obstruction during Chowdhury’s election campaign.
On Saturday morning, Adhir Chowdhury was campaigning with his workers and supporters. He allegedly faced obstacles from the Trinamool Congress as soon as he entered ward number 19.
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, therefore, they have resorted to violence and intimidation."
However, local Trinamool Congress councillor Bhishmadev Karmakar dismissed the allegations. He said, "He is a traitor. He is trying to create chaos by bringing in outsiders. The local people have protested against him."
Incidentally, Adhir Chowdhury was also the subject of protests on Friday night. A group of Trinamool leaders and workers shouted ‘go back’ slogans when they saw him. The incident took place on Abdus Samad Road in Berhampore. Chowdhury had gone to the area to meet a district Congress leader who is admitted to a nursing home due to illness. On his return, Trinamool workers allegedly shouted ‘go back’ slogans when they saw him.
