Bengal BJP candidate's convoy attacked in Garbeta; Amit Malviya says 'Mamata Banerjee murdering...'

Mamata Banerjee is murdering democracy in Bengal, said Amit Malviya, condemning the act.

During the sixth phase of polling on May 25, BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Bengal's Jhargram had to flee from the Mangalapota area of Garbeta in West Midnapore district as stones were hurled at him and his security personnel.

Dramatic visuals captured security personnel carrying shields attempting to shield the candidate, Pranat Tudu, as individuals pursued him. A large stone narrowly missed hitting someone as more stones were thrown, prompting the candidate, security officers, and some media personnel to make a hasty retreat.

Amidst the incident, Tudu has accused "TMC goons" of the attack and stated that two of his security personnel sustained head injuries and had to be hospitalised.

"TMC goons suddenly obstructed the roads and began throwing bricks at my car. When my security personnel attempted to intervene, they sustained injuries. Two CISF jawans who were accompanying me suffered head injuries and had to be hospitalised as a result," alleged Tudu, during an interaction with the press, PTI reported.

He further noted, "We got information yesterday that BJP voters in Monglapota are not being allowed to vote. Due to this, we came to this area to check what was the problem. Here around 200 people attacked us with lathis, stones and some weapons. We could have been murdered if Central forces would not have been there...We did not get any protection from the local police...Didi doesn't want to impose CAA and make the country into Pakistan".

The TMC has, however, asserted that Tudu's security personnel assaulted a woman who was queuing to vote, which incited anger among villagers who then staged a protest. The crowd also vandalised vehicles being used by media personnel. A police team has been dispatched to the area to restore order, according to the PTI report.

Soon after, Amit Malviya, the BJP's co-incharge in Bengal, took to microblogging site X, condemning the act.

"Mamata Banerjee is murdering democracy in Bengal.....People are voting to kick out the TMC," wrote Malviya.

Mamata Banerjee is murdering democracy in Bengal. Now, TMC goons attack BJP’s Jhargram (a Tribal seat) candidate and ABP Ananda’s crew. Despite attempts to preclude people from casting vote, West Bengal has one of the highest voter turnout across the country. People are voting to… pic.twitter.com/ZMdTPhxiYw

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— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) May 25, 2024

The BJP has stated that Tudu was en route to several polling booths in Garbeta after receiving reports that the party's agents were being barred from entry.