Stones pelted at union minister’s car in Bengal, BJP blames TMC

Preliminary information suggests that the minister was shown black flags by TMC supporters

The convoy of Nisith Pramanik, Minister of State for Home Affairs, came under attack at Dinhata, in Coochbehar district of West Bengal. The minister’s windscreen allegedly was cracked after the stone pelting.

The BJP has blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress for the incident. The incident comes a week after TMC supporters protested close to Pramanik’s house in the region, in the presence of Udayan Guha, a TMC leader and minister in the state government, and other leaders.

Kunal Ghosh, Trinamool’s spokesperson, held people’s sentiments against the BJP responsible for the Saturday incident, and not the ruling party supporters.

The minister was on a round to meet BJP workers and people in the region. According to local sources, Pramanik’s convoy was shown black flags by Trinamool supporters. This was followed by a scuffle between the supporters of the ruling party and the BJP.

"The attack on me by the TMC goons is an attack on democracy. The entire nation is watching how democracy is being crippled by TMC-sponsored & supported terrorism. It is a proof of the complete failure of law and order in the state of West Bengal. Shame!" the minister tweeted, after the incident.

Sukanta Majumdar, BJP’s state president also condemned the incident. “Strongly condemned the attack on the convoy of my party colleague & Union MoS Shri Nisith Pramanik in Dinhata. This is the regular behaviour by these TMC goons under patronage of the state govt. BJP don’t fear them. Remember Didi, (the) public is watching.”

An attempt was also made to stop Majumdar’s convoy during his tour on the day, the BJP state chief said, adding that such incidents have become very frequent, especially during elections, and bye-elections.