BJP workers used bulldozer to demolish meat shops in Kolkata market after winning elections: TMC

Kolkata: The TMC on Wednesday alleged that BJP supporters used a bulldozer to demolish a few meat shops in New Market area here during a victory celebration, dubbing the incident "hooliganism".

The Mamata Banerjee-led party also accused central forces of remaining inactive when the incident occurred on Tuesday night.

'Bulldozer justice' was the phrase used by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other BJP leaders during the recent assembly poll campaign in West Bengal, asserting that every illegal encroachment would be razed to the ground if the BJP came to power.

The TMC, in a post on X, said, "BJP's 'Poriborton' (change) has arrived, and it has arrived with a bulldozer. In an act of brazen hooliganism, mobs of BJP supporters went on a rampage near the New Market area, destroying shops and vandalising the Trinamool Congress party office." Attaching a video of the alleged incident, the TMC said this was the "celebration of a party that spoke of trust and delivered terror".

PTI did not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

The TMC claimed that the incident reflected a “pattern of intimidation” following the declaration of election results.

"Before elections: Bhoy (fear) out, Bharosa (trust) in.. After elections: Bharosa out, Bulldozer in," it said, adding that the alleged incident signalled a “dangerous precedent” for law and order in the state.

The central forces were present there but "did not intervene", the TMC claimed, alleging that they had been instructed to “stand down”.

The BJP on Monday sealed a landslide victory with 207 seats in the 294-member assembly, ending the TMC's uninterrupted 15-year rule in the state.

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien shared a social media post highlighting the alleged incident.

"In central Kolkata, near New Market. With police permission. As part of victory celebrations a bulldozer was brought in to demolish meat shops. CAPF standing around. The BJP for you. Let the world see these pictures," he wrote.

The BJP has not immediately responded to the allegations.

Party state president Samik Bhattacharya and other leaders had asserted that they did not support any act of violence and revenge.

"We are asking police and security forces to take action against anyone trying to disrupt peace and law and order in the name of celebrations," Bhattacharya said.

A senior police officer said there was a gathering for the BJP's victory in the area, but the police and the central forces were present there, and no untoward incident took place.