Union Minister of State for External Affairs and BJP leader V Muraleedharan’s convoy was allegedly vandalised by locals in Panchkhudi area of West Midnapore district Thursday, while he was visiting the area in connection with alleged post-poll violence that erupted after election results were declared on May 2. Muraleedharan’s convoy attack comes at a time when post-poll violence has broken out in West Bengal with the BJP claiming over 14 of its workers have been killed.
In a tweet, the minister claimed that the attack on his convey was orchestrated by supposed “TMC goons”. The Union Minister, however, escaped unhurt. The driver of his car and several others suffered critical injuries in the attack.
Muraleedharan shared a video on his Twitter handle where some people could be seen throwing sticks and stones at the minister’s convoy and chasing his car. They also broke the rear window of his car. “TMC goons attacked my convoy in West Midnapore, broken windows, attacked personal staff. Cutting short my trip,” Muraleedharan tweeted.
BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha who was accompanying the minister claimed that the attack took place despite the presence of the police personnel.
Speaking to reporters, Muraleedharan said, “This cannot be the culture of Bengal. Women are being attacked. This is nothing but goondagardi. Even today my vehicle was targeted. I will give a report to the Centre in this regard.”
However, TMC West Midnapore district president Ajit Maity denied the minister’s allegations and said it was a “spontaneous protest” by the people against the BJP.
An officer of Kotwali police station in West Midnapore said that they are probing into the incident of the attack on the minister's convoy.
"It happened at around 12. 30 pm today when some unidentified people attacked the minister's convoy," he said.
No one has been detained or arrested so far, the police officer said.
Meanwhile, Muraleedharan’s tweet coincides with the visit of a four-member Central fact-finding team. The team, led by an additional secretary, was sent to the state by the Union Home Ministry to look into reasons for the post-poll violence that broke out since the counting of votes on Sunday. the MHA had sent a terse reminder to the West Bengal government to submit a detailed report on the post-poll violence and to take necessary measures to stop such incidents "without any loss of time". The ministry had warned that the matter will be taken "seriously" in case the state fails to do so.
