Clashes erupted between the cadres of Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kolkata on Friday with both sides resorting to large-scale stone pelting. The clashes took place as both sides were celebrating Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary.
All the political parties brought out rallies and marches in the city on Friday to mark 155th birth anniversary of 19th century Hindu revivalist Narendranath Datta, better known as Vivekananda.
The situation flared up at around 11.30 am when the two sides got into a brawl at the Pathuriaghata in North Kolkata. BJP leadership alleged that the TMC cadres launched an “unprovoked attack” on their supporters who were going to participate in the party’s Yuva Morcha rally.
Within an hour, the violence spread to Central Avenue near the BJP’s State headquarters and several vehicles were vandalised during the clash. Cadre of both parties were seen attacking each other with bricks and sticks. A large police contingent has been deployed in the area.
“The TMC goons attacked our workers to disrupt our peaceful rally to mark Vivekananda's birth anniversary. This once again proved that there is no rule of law in the State. We will stage protest demonstrations tomorrow in front of every police station,” BJP State president Dilip Ghosh told journalists.
BJP brought out 'Pratirodh Sankalpa Abhiyan' [Resistance Resolution March] to resist Trinamool Congress in the State on Friday. The march is expected to continue till January 18.
TMC denied allegation
Denying the allegation TMC MLA and State’s Minister Sashi Panja said that it was “BJP goons who attacked our supporters.” The TMC leadership further alleged that “drunken” BJP workers were making offensive comments at women at Pathuriaghata Street and when TMC supporters protested they were assaulted by BJP workers.
