Tensions in Kolkata’s high-profile Bhabanipur constituency escalated sharply on Saturday as Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari held rival rallies barely 100 metres apart, triggering chaos and forcing security forces to step in.
The confrontation unfolded on Chakraberia Road, just days ahead of the crucial April 29 polling. Both leaders—locked in one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections—addressed supporters simultaneously, creating a volatile situation on the ground. Mamata Banerjee, who has represented Bhabanipur since 2011, is defending her stronghold against her former aide-turned-political rival Suvendu Adhikari.
Trouble began when Banerjee abruptly stopped her speech, alleging that loudspeakers from the nearby BJP rally were deliberately used to drown out her address. Calling it an “intentional disturbance,” she apologised to supporters and walked off the stage, warning of possible legal action.
Her sudden exit angered Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers, many of whom marched toward the BJP gathering. Soon, supporters from both sides came face-to-face, shouting slogans like “Jai Bangla” and “Jai Shri Ram.” The situation quickly turned tense, raising fears of violence.
Security personnel, including the Rapid Action Force and local police, formed a human barricade to separate the groups. Their timely intervention prevented the situation from spiralling into physical clashes, although the atmosphere remained charged for hours.
Arriving shortly after the incident, Suvendu Adhikari criticised the ruling party, calling the protest a sign of “desperation” and accusing it of promoting “jungle raj.” He asserted that the BJP would respond strongly and predicted that such incidents would backfire politically.
The clash highlights the intense rivalry between the two leaders, which dates back to their dramatic face-off in Nandigram in 2021. This time, Bhabanipur has become the epicentre of that political battle, with both sides viewing it as a prestige contest.
With campaigning entering its final phase, authorities have tightened security across the constituency, deploying additional forces and increasing surveillance. The incident underscores the high stakes and emotional intensity surrounding the election, as voters prepare to head to the polls in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested fight for political dominance in West Bengal.
