Debra clashes expose BJP’s factional feud; MLA discharged

Debra (West Midnapore): Discharged from a private hospital in Midnapore town on Tuesday, Debra BJP MLA Subhashis Om renewed allegations that a rival party faction assaulted him during Monday’s street clashes. Tension remained high in the area as the MLA traded sharp counterclaims with Ghatal organisational district president Tanmoy Das.The legislator alleged he was attacked at the 10/2 Dua anchal office on Monday while trying to stop an internal brawl. “A woman in Dua region was going to lodge a molestation complaint against party workers. While we reasoned with her against reporting colleagues, a section of workers turned violent, tried to loot and assaulted me,” Om said.Party sources, however, said Monday’s violence erupted at the anchal office after a woman party functionary was allegedly molested and assaulted. When she set out for Debra police station to file a complaint, Om and his supporters allegedly intercepted her and other workers — blocking them again near the police station — to dissuade them from reporting colleagues. Sources traced the feud to alleged multi-lakh-rupee extortion surrounding the “Ravan Pora” event and resentment over awarding Balichak Utsav tenders to Jharkhand and Odisha traders.Das rejected the assault claim, accusing Om of staging a drama after walking into the hospital normally and putting on bandages only upon spotting media. “No one laid a finger on the MLA. CCTV footage retrieved by police from the anchal office, police station and hospital premises will clear everything,” Das said, adding that the assaulted woman functionary was stopped from reaching the police station and the hospital. Das promised internal action if any worker attacked the lawmaker.Reacting to the conflict in Kharagpur on Tuesday, senior minister Dilip Ghosh said, “If there has been any dispute among ourselves, the party will look into it. And if an incident of violence or a clash has occurred, police will take action according to law. If it is an internal matter, the party will certainly inquire into it,” Ghosh said.Both Om and Das have sent reports to state party bosses. Though Om said he submitted a written complaint at Debra police station, a senior police officer said no formal complaint was registered till Tuesday afternoon.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in KolkataStay updated with the latest Kolkata news. Download the TOI App.