BJP's Dilip Ghosh claims TMC workers manhandled him

Bharatiya Janata Party national vice-president Dilip Ghosh was allegedly manhandled while party MP Arjun Singh faced 'go back' slogans by the ruling Trinamool Congress workers during the campaign for party candidate Priyanka Tibrewal, who is pitted against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur assembly constituency in the city on the last day of campaigning on Monday.

Ghosh was allegedly pushed by the TMC workers when he went inside a vaccination camp at Jodubabur Bazar area in the constituency, where the by-poll will be held on September 30.

The TMC in its turn alleged that Ghosh's bodyguard had brandished firearms to scare away the crowd.

The TMC supporters present at the spot reportedly pushed Ghosh out and shouted slogans demanding that he leave, alleging that he was campaigning at a state-run vaccination programme.

Ghosh was escorted out of the camp by his security personnel and left in his car.

An angry Ghosh later told reporters that the TMC had attacked him without provocation and heckled him and injured a BJP activist.

"We will take up the issue with the Election Commission. What kind of election this is?" he asked.

Singh, who is in charge of the BJP campaign in the area, faced 'go back' slogans. He was also called bohiragato (outsider) as he went around the area soliciting votes.

The MP represents Barrackpore constituency in North 24 Parganas district.

Singh accused the state administration and the police of doing nothing even when MPs and national-level Opposition leaders are being attacked.

High drama marked the incident as a strong police force barricaded the area and slogan shouting TMC activists gathered nearby.

TMC leader Firhad Hakim, a close confidant of Banerjee accused the BJP of provoking the people to create disturbances in the peaceful middle class neighbourhood.

"The BJP is resorting to provocation sensing defeat. It is better to ignore them. Common people are protesting against them for spreading hatred, falsehood and personal attacks," Hakim said.

In a tweet, the TMC alleged that Ghosh's bodyguard had brandished firearms to scare away the people.

"@BJP4Bengal HITS A NEW LOW! How DARE a gun be aimed at (the) public in broad daylight? Do people not have the right to protest against leaders they do not support? Such blatant violation of human rights is shameful! This compromises the safety and security of people in Bhabanipur!" the party tweeted.