Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday accused BJP workers of being behind an alleged arson incident in West Bengal’s Khejuri area and claimed that violence and intimidation were increasingly being used as instruments of politics in the state.
In a post on his WhatsApp channel, the TMC leader alleged that several shops in the West Bhangan Mari area under Jonka Gram Panchayat in Khejuri were set on fire, leading to extensive damage to the livelihoods of local residents.
“Bengal is already witnessing a DOUBLE ENGINE DISASTER,” Banerjee wrote, alleging that “nearly 10 shops were set ablaze last night by BJP miscreants, right in front of the police.”
He said the incident had destroyed the livelihoods of several families and accused the BJP of fostering an atmosphere of fear and hostility. “Entire livelihoods have been reduced to ashes because hatred and intimidation are now being used as political tools,” he alleged.
Targeting the BJP leadership and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Banerjee claimed that divisive politics and violence were being encouraged with impunity.
“This is the true face of the politics preached by @AmitShah and @BJP4India — division, fear and targeted violence carried out with complete impunity,” he alleged.
The TMC MP also questioned the role of central security forces in the state, asking whether they were being deployed selectively for political reasons.
“Where are the Central Forces now? Or are they deployed only when it suits the BJP’s political agenda? Is the Home Minister watching in silence while Bengal burns?” he asked.
Banerjee further alleged that the incident reflected a breakdown of law and order and warned against what he described as a growing pattern of political violence in West Bengal.
“If shops can be torched and communities terrorised in broad daylight, what remains of law and order? The message being sent is loud and dangerous — under BJP’s shadow, violence appears protected,” he said.
Banerjee further wrote, “And as they say, the morning shows the day.”
Political tensions between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP have remained high in West Bengal following the recently concluded Assembly elections, particularly in East Midnapore district, where Khejuri has frequently witnessed clashes and political unrest.