What was meant to be a routine inauguration of a rural road turned into an embarrassing spectacle for Trinamul Congress MLA Manik Bhattacharya on Wednesday, as chants of “chor” (thief) rang out from within the gathering ~ allegedly from disgruntled members of his own party.
The incident unfolded at Baroipara in Bilkumari Gram Panchayat under the Palashipara Assembly constituency, where Bhattacharya had arrived to inaugurate a road under the Pathashree project. Even before the formalities could gather momentum, a section of local residents and party workers began shouting slogans targeting the legislator, accusing him of corruption and manipulation in local development decisions.
According to protesters, a previously approved road alignment in the area had been altered at the MLA’s behest, with one sanctioned stretch allegedly scrapped in favour of another. They further alleged interference in the formation of a local committee, claiming that recommended names were dropped and replaced with individuals seen as loyal to Bhattacharya.
As the MLA rose to address the gathering, the slogans intensified. Witnesses said Bhattacharya paused repeatedly, attempting to calm the crowd and assure them that their grievances would be heard. However, the protesters persisted.
The situation grew visibly tense when Bhattacharya appeared to lose his composure. Eyewitnesses reported a heated exchange between the MLA and sections of the crowd, with the legislator seen pointing his finger and admonishing the protesters.
Bhattacharya later termed the episode a “political conspiracy,” alleging that Opposition forces were engineering unrest because development work was progressing in the area. “When development reaches the grassroots, certain vested interests feel threatened,” he reportedly said before leaving the venue under police cover.
Some local Trinamul workers claimed that long-time party members were being sidelined and that transparency in development projects was lacking.
Leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the CPI-M mocked the ruling party, saying the incident exposed deep fissures within its ranks.