Supriyo engages in altercation with local youths over coal mafia dig against TMC

Kolkata: The outgoing BJP MP from Asansol Babul Supriyo, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the same seat, lost his cool during his election rally on Thursday morning when some local youths protested against him for accusing his political rival Trinamool Congress of running a syndicate with coal mafias.

The incident sparked tension at the Dhandadihi area of Andal, where Supriyo was conducting a road show. Some youths, who the BJP claimed to be Trinamool Congress supporters, protested against Supriyo as he was accusing TMC of being involved in a syndicate operating out of coal mine areas.

This allegedly made Supriyo so angry that he engaged in an altercation with the youths. He also claimed that TMC might have deployed the youths to disrupt his road show.

The irate BJP MP allegedly instructed his party workers to 'throw them out'. The BJP workers finally dissuaded the youths from protesting and dispersed them. Curious onlookers were stranded on both sides of the road. The district election officers are currently looking into the matter.

It may be mentioned here that some BJP workers were earlier found sitting in a car with a sticker on it reading 'On Election duty'. The car was spotted close to the residence of Supriyo in Asansol and there was a BJP flag on the bonnet of the car. The incident has led to a political slugfest between the BJP and Trinamool Congress leaders in Asansol.

Supriyo has been under the scanner of the Election Commission after he was found playing the controversial theme song of BJP, defying the commission's instructions. He has since stopped playing the song but controversy seems to still surround him.

A section of TMC leaders in West Midnapore district are saying that Supriyo is losing his cool as BJP is apprehending defeat in the seat in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.