Kolkata: Two Trinamool functionaries are battling for their lives in Behala and Bhatpara after being attacked by BJP workers on Wednesday night, a charge which the BJP denied. Two brothers, both RSS workers in Behala, were also injured in attacks allegedly carried out by Trinamool supporters.After polling passed off peacefully, violence resurfaced in Bhatpara. Tapas Das, an executive committee member of Bhatpara Town Trinamool Congress, was shot twice during an alleged altercation with BJP supporters on Wednesday night. The injured worker was rushed to a hospital, where he is battling for his life. The incident reportedly took place in ward 21 of Bhatpara Municipality, leading to a large cop contingent being deployed. No arrest has been carried out so far.Ex-Jagaddal MLA and Trinamool candidate Somnath Shyam alleged that aides of BJP MP and candidate Arjun Singh, including his nephew, were involved. According to the FIR, Das was standing near his booth after polling ended when an argument broke out with some BJP workers. This led to him being shot twice. He was initially admitted to Bhatpara State General Hospital and later shifted to the College of Medicine and Sagar Dutta Hospital in Kamarhati as his condition deteriorated. “When he (Das) tried to flee, around two to three rounds were fired at him,” Shyam said.Jagaddal BJP candidate and ex-IPS Rajesh Kumar termed the accusations “false”, claiming TMC-backed miscreants are responsible. Meanwhile, Kolkata Police has arrested seven persons for the Behala incident.At Rabindranagar’s Ramkrishna Pally in ward 129 of Behala, Trinamool workers claimed they were attacked by miscreants sheltered by BJP. Five, including an ex-TMC councillor, were injured. After voting ended on Wednesday, Trinamool workers were at their party office when BJP-backed goons allegedly carried out the attack. “Ex-councillor and state Trinamool organisational secretary Anjan Das arrived at the spot and was severely beaten, resulting in a head injury. Party worker Biswajit Das Bagal received a serious skull fracture and was admitted to SSKM Trauma Care Centre, where he was operated upon. He is stated to be critical,” Behala West Trinamool candidate Ratna Chatterjee said.BJP, however, alleged that around 8 pm on Wednesday, it was Trinamool members who stormed the house of one Prosenjit Brahma in Behala. The family claims that both Brahma and his brother, Abhijit Brahma, are active members of the RSS. They were reportedly rescued in an injured condition and detained for questioning. Jishnu Basu, head of the RSS’s eastern region, said, “There was shameless behaviour by the police. Both men were injured, yet they took the brothers to the lock-up.” Prosenjit was reportedly a BJP polling agent. “We want an impartial probe,” said Behala West BJP candidate Indranil Khan. There were also allegations of central forces entering homes of Trinamool workers in the slums of New Alipore and assaulting several persons on Wednesday. Nine were injured, with three being admitted to Bangur Hospital. Trinamool lodged an FIR at New Alipore PS on Wednesday night.Trinamool also alleged that the CRPF baton-charged Trinamool workers in front of Jodhpur Park Women’s Polytechnic. At Panchasayar, BJP alleged that Trinamool-backed goons vandalized office of polling agent Shantanu Sarkar at booth 153 during heavy rain. . Trinamool denied involvement. Sporadic incidents of violence were also reported from Bhangar and Canning.
