May 23, 2024: Political tensions escalate in West Bengal as a fatal shooting incident rocks Nandigram, under the Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency, just days before the sixth phase of polling. The victim, Rathibara Ari, a resident of Nandigram's Sonachura area, was killed when unidentified assailants on motorcycles opened fire at her house. Several others were injured in the attack, with seven currently undergoing treatment in a hospital.
The BJP has identified Ari as one of its workers and has organized protests in response to her killing. Additionally, sporadic violence erupted in Nandigram, with reports of shops being set ablaze. Amidst the chaos, both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress engage in a war of words, each accusing the other of orchestrating the violence for political gain.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur condemned the incident, highlighting the prevalence of violence in West Bengal during elections and criticizing the safety measures under Mamata Banerjee's leadership. In contrast, the Trinamool Congress attributes the violence to internal strife within the BJP, dismissing accusations of its involvement.
The upcoming polls in the Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency hold significant political implications for both parties. The BJP's choice of candidate, Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a former Calcutta High Court judge, adds further intrigue to the electoral landscape, pitting him against the TMC's Debangshu Bhattacharya.
As tensions rise in Nandigram, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the volatile political climate in West Bengal, where electoral battles often spill over into violence and unrest..