Kolkata: Tensions flared at Bidhan Bhavan on Wednesday as Congress workers staged a massive protest over alleged irregularities in candidate selection ahead of the Bengal Assembly elections.
What began as a demonstration soon escalated into chaos, with clashes, injuries, and sharp allegations surfacing from within the party.
A section of protesters accused state Congress leaders, including Shubhankar Sarkar, of “unethically” selecting candidates.
The flashpoint was the nomination of Rohan Mitra, son of former state Congress president Somen Mitra, from the Ballygunge Constituency. Protesters, led by Park Circus leader Zahid Hossain, alleged that candidates were finalised “in exchange for money during drinking sessions.”
Rohan Mitra strongly denied the allegations, stating, “Everyone knows who selected the candidates. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and several senior Congress leaders sat together and finalised the names. Those visuals have been circulated across social and news media.”
The unrest was not limited to Ballygunge. Another faction of aggrieved Congress workers staged a sit-in protest at Bidhan Bhavan, demanding a change of candidate in the Shyampur constituency. Despite the escalating situation, the state Congress leadership has not issued any official statement so far.
The situation turned violent at the party’s state headquarters, where clashes broke out among workers, leaving many protesters injured. The developments highlight deep internal discord within the Congress, particularly after its decision to contest the elections independently after nearly two decades. Responding further, Mitra said: “Such protests happen in every political party. Those behind this have a specific agenda and are trying to incite tensions, even using communal narratives. Congress does not believe in such politics.”