Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, has reacted strongly to the controversy surrounding post-poll violence in the state after the Assembly election results. Addressing reporters, Adhikari said the current situation should not be compared with what happened during the rule of the Trinamool Congress.
“Don’t compare this with TMC. What Bengal witnessed earlier was systematic political violence. The present administration is taking action wherever incidents are being reported,” Adhikari said while responding to allegations from opposition parties and civil society groups over attacks in different parts of the state.
The BJP formed the government in West Bengal after securing a massive majority in the 2026 Assembly elections, ending the long-standing rule of Mamata Banerjee and the All India Trinamool Congress. Since the declaration of results, reports of clashes, vandalism and intimidation have emerged from several districts, including Murshidabad, North 24 Parganas and Hooghly.
Opposition leaders have accused BJP supporters of targeting rival political workers after the election victory. However, Adhikari rejected the allegations and claimed that isolated incidents were being exaggerated for political purposes. He also alleged that violence during previous elections under the Trinamool regime was far more widespread and institutionalized.
The remarks came shortly after the killing of Chandranath Rath, a close associate of Adhikari, in Madhyamgram triggered political tensions across the state. BJP leaders have accused anti-social elements linked to rival political groups of being involved in the incident, while police investigations are currently underway.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal administration has increased police deployment in several sensitive districts to prevent escalation of violence. State police officials said strict action would be taken against anyone involved in clashes, regardless of political affiliation. Human rights groups and opposition parties have continued demanding impartial investigations into all incidents reported after the elections.
