BJP worker killed in Bengal, Trinamool denies involvement

Bengal unit president Dilip Ghosh claims that over 40 BJP workers have been killed by Trinamool-backed elements since the nomination process for the panchayat polls began on April 2.

A BJP block-level leader was hacked to death by unidentified people at Mandir Bazar in Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Friday night.

Supporters of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) wave party flags to their president Amit Shah on his arrival at Chennai on July 9, 2018. (AFP Representative Photo)

The incident occurred while the victim, Saktipada Sardar (45), was returning from work. Passersby rushed him to the Diamond Harbour hospital, which – in turn – referred him to a medical institution in Kolkata. However, Sardar died before he could be hospitalised.

Two people were detained after the BJP leader’s family lodged a complaint.

Soon afterwards, many BJP leaders turned up on Twitter to allege the Trinamool Congress’ involvement. “Another heinous murder of BJP member Shaktipada Sardar from Dhanurhat, South 24 Parganas, by bloodthirsty TMC goons. He paid the price for the BJP’s victory in the same block during the panchayat elections,” tweeted minister of state for heavy industries Babul Supriyo.

“Killings of BJP workers in Bengal continue. The carelessness and non-cooperation of Bengal Police are an affront to democracy,” wrote party national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya.

Trinamool leaders have denied the party’s involvement in the murder.

Bengal unit president Dilip Ghosh claims that over 40 BJP workers have been killed by Trinamool-backed elements since the nomination process for the panchayat polls began on April 2.

Of the 15 seats in Mandir Bazar panchayat, Trinamool Congress won nine and BJP six.