Fresh political tension has erupted in West Bengal as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) approached the Calcutta High Court alleging widespread post-poll violence across the state. Claiming that nearly 2,000 supporters were attacked and over 365 party offices vandalised after the election results, the ruling party sought urgent judicial intervention, accusing “BJP-backed miscreants” of unleashing targeted violence in several districts.
The matter came up before a division bench headed by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen after a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by advocate Shirshanya Bandyopadhyay, who is known to be close to the Trinamool Congress. Taking note of the seriousness of the allegations, the bench agreed to hear the matter on an urgent basis and fixed Thursday for the next hearing.
According to the petition, violence began escalating across the state soon after the election results were declared on May 4. The plea alleged that TMC workers and supporters were systematically targeted in multiple districts, leading to physical assaults, destruction of party infrastructure and widespread fear among grassroots workers.
The petition claimed that around 2,000 party supporters were assaulted in different incidents, while at least 365 Trinamool offices were either vandalised or set on fire. Several workers have allegedly fled their homes fearing retaliation and attacks.
The petitioner urged the High Court to intervene immediately to restore law and order and ensure the safety of political workers. The plea also sought an independent investigation into the violence, preferably by a neutral central or independent agency.
TMC leaders alleged that police inaction had allowed the violence to spread further. Party insiders argued that despite repeated complaints, local authorities failed to act decisively against those allegedly involved in the attacks.
The issue has also intensified the political war between the BJP government in the state and the Trinamool Congress leadership. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee recently launched a sharp attack on the BJP over incidents reported from areas such as Saptagram, Chakdah and Khejuri.
Abhishek alleged that Trinamool workers were killed by “BJP-sponsored goons” and accused both the administration and central leadership of remaining silent. In a strongly worded political attack, he claimed the police had become inactive, the courts were acting as silent spectators, BJP leaders were busy celebrating, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was focused on foreign tours and the Union Home Minister was nowhere to be seen.
Political observers believe the legal battle in the High Court is part of a larger strategy by the Trinamool Congress to mount pressure on the newly formed BJP-led state administration. While Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has assured strict maintenance of law and order from Nabanna, the High Court case has placed the new government under immediate scrutiny over its handling of post-election unrest.
Attention is now firmly on Thursday’s hearing, where the court may seek a detailed report from the state government regarding the measures taken to control the violence and restore normalcy.
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