West Bengal’s simmering political cauldron boiled over yet again with an audacious attack on BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s car, prompting the Union Home Ministry to step in forcefully. Officials confirmed that a formal request for a comprehensive report has been dispatched to Kolkata, highlighting the Centre’s zero-tolerance stance on escalating violence against opposition figures.
The assault took place during broad daylight as Adhikari’s convoy traversed a key arterial road. Assailants, reportedly armed with stones and crude weapons, launched a coordinated strike, damaging multiple vehicles and creating panic among locals. Fortunately, the quick response from Adhikari’s security detail averted a major tragedy, though the episode has amplified fears of targeted intimidation.
This isn’t the first time Adhikari, a fierce critic of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has faced such threats. His rise as the BJP’s chief troubleshooter in Bengal has made him a prime target for TMC cadres, according to party insiders. The Home Ministry’s directive emphasizes the need for a time-bound inquiry, potentially involving central agencies if state inaction persists.
Reactions poured in from across the political spectrum. BJP national leadership labeled it a ‘direct assault on federalism,’ while TMC dismissed it as a ‘fabricated drama’ for sympathy votes. Adhikari, addressing a press conference from his residence, displayed the battered vehicle and recounted the sequence of events, calling for Governor’s intervention.
As Bengal braces for more confrontations, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the stakes involved. The Home Ministry’s report could trigger enforcement of stricter measures, including deployment of central forces. For now, the opposition is mobilizing support, framing the attack as emblematic of TMC’s authoritarian grip, while the state apparatus scrambles to respond.