Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday alleged that miscreants linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party set at least 10 shops on fire in Khejuri area of Purba Medinipur, escalating political tensions in the state.
In a sharp statement, the Trinamool Congress leader claimed that the incident reflects a deteriorating law and order situation and described it as a “double engine disaster,” taking a dig at the BJP’s governance model. He accused BJP supporters of being behind the alleged arson and demanded strict action against those responsible.
According to local reports, the fire broke out late at night, gutting multiple roadside shops and causing significant property damage. Fire brigade teams were rushed to the spot and managed to bring the blaze under control after several hours. No casualties have been reported so far, though shop owners have suffered heavy losses.
Reacting to the allegations, BJP leaders denied any involvement and accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of trying to politicise the incident. They claimed that the accusations were baseless and aimed at diverting attention from internal issues.
The incident has heightened tensions in the region, which has witnessed political clashes in the past. Police officials said an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire and identify those responsible.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened in and around Khejuri to prevent any further escalation. Authorities have appealed to residents to maintain peace as the probe continues.
The exchange of accusations between the two parties is expected to intensify the political atmosphere in West Bengal, with both sides gearing up for further confrontation over the issue.
