Kolkata, India – Amid rising tensions in West Bengal, an attack on a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team in East Midnapore has sparked a political battle ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The incident, which left one NIA official injured and an official vehicle damaged, has led to a war of words between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.
Prime Minister Modi accused the TMC of shielding corrupt leaders and extortionists, alleging that the state government seeks impunity for corruption and violence. In response, Chief Minister Banerjee criticized the central probe agencies, including the NIA, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), for allegedly harassing TMC leaders and acting as “extended arms” of the BJP.
The NIA, in turn, denied allegations of attacking residents during their visit to probe a blast case in Bhupatinagar. Claiming that their actions were lawful and legally mandated, the agency stated that their team was violently attacked by a mob in Naruabila village, hindering their investigation.
The exchange of accusations between the BJP and TMC reflects the escalating political rivalry in West Bengal as the Lok Sabha polls draw near. The incident has further fueled the already intense competition between the two parties, with both sides trading barbs and accusations of foul play.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the political landscape in West Bengal will evolve in the run-up to the elections. With tensions running high and both sides digging in their heels, the clash between the BJP and TMC shows no signs of abating, setting the stage for a heated electoral battle in the months to come.