A Trinamool Congress leader was killed in an alleged attack by unidentified assailants at Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district late tonight, triggering tension in the area ahead of Assembly polls in the state.
A senior police officer said Haji Abdul Jehel Mollah (75), the Anchal Sabhapati, was returning home from an election meeting of local TMC candidate Manturam Pakhira at around 11:30 PM when crude bombs were hurled at him by unidentified persons.
Mollah died on the spot, the officer said, adding that the assailants escaped amidst the melee while firing bullet shots.
Pakhira went to the area and talked to Mollah's supporters and his family as tensions ran high.
TMC has accused CPI(M) workers of being behind the murder, but the rival party claimed it was due to a factional dispute within the ruling party.
Pakhira's closest contender is Rafiquddin Mollah of Congress with the Left not fielding any candidate for the seat.
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