West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing its “double-engine government” in Tripura of supporting political violence and “state-sponsored terror.” Her comments came a day after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) office in Agartala was allegedly vandalised by BJP workers.
Delegation Blocked at Airport
A five-member TMC delegation, including MPs and a Bengal cabinet minister, reached Agartala on Wednesday to assess the situation following the ransacking of their party office. However, the team claimed they were not allowed to leave the airport, alleging that local authorities and police prevented their vehicles from arriving. The members, led by TMC MP Sushmita Dev, sat on a dharna inside the airport in protest.
Speaking to reporters, Mamata Banerjee said, “You can see what is going on in Tripura. Our delegation was stopped at the airport, and even their taxis were not allowed to reach. When they tried to go on foot or by bike, they were blocked again. If this continues, I will go to Tripura myself.”
The West Bengal Chief Minister accused the BJP of hypocrisy, saying the party spreads lies about the TMC while encouraging violence. “First Abhishek Banerjee’s car was attacked, then vehicles of Dola Sen, Sushmita Dev, MPs, and journalists were targeted. The police watched silently. This is nothing but state-sponsored political terrorism,” she alleged.
TMC Leaders Call It ‘Murder of Democracy’
Sushmita Dev condemned the attack, calling it an assault on democracy. “Our party office was violently attacked, our property damaged, and posters torn down. The drivers we hired were threatened not to pick us up. This shows BJP’s DNA — violence, dictatorship, and anarchy. Attacking an opposition office is the murder of democracy,” she said.
TMC MP Sayani Ghosh also echoed similar concerns, stating that Tripura’s administration had “failed completely.” “We have three MPs, a cabinet minister, and a former MP here, yet we cannot even step outside the airport. Drivers have been threatened, and the police are mute spectators,” she added.
TMC Condemns Police Inaction
Back in Kolkata, state minister Shashi Panja said the attack occurred in Banamalipur, the home constituency of former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb. She claimed that the vandalism took place “in the presence of police,” who did nothing to stop it. “This proves Tripura is under an intolerant, violent regime. There is no democracy left — only fear and political terror,” Panja said.
The TMC has demanded immediate action against those responsible for the vandalism and an independent inquiry into the alleged police inaction.
