Thakurnagar, West Bengal – The Trinamul Congress has strongly condemned the recent attack on Trinamul Congress Rajya Sabha MP Mamatabala Thakur by BJP Bongaon MP candidate Shantanu Thakur. The incident has caused unrest in Thakurnagar, escalating tensions in North 24-Pargana’s Gaighata. In response to the allegations of assault, a significant police presence, including security personnel for Shantanu Thakur, has been deployed in the area.
The clash between the two political figures has brought to light the deep-rooted divide between BJP and Trinamul supporters within the Matua community, a religious center in Thakurnagar. Both Mamatabala Thakur and Shantanu Thakur play influential roles in separate religious organizations within the community, contributing to the ongoing legal battle for the Matua community’s apex body in the Calcutta High Court.
The recent turmoil has disrupted the peace in Thakurnagar during the religious festival season, further intensifying the already heated political environment in the region. Mamatabala Thakur, a respected figure in the community, has filed a complaint against Shantanu Thakur, alleging physical assault.
In response to the allegations, BJP’s state president, Sukanta Majumdar, defended Shantanu Thakur, emphasizing the party’s stance on empowering women and downplaying the accusations made by Trinamul Congress MPs. The incident took place at the residence of Binapani Devi, a revered figure in the community before her passing in 2019, where Shantanu Thakur claimed to have broken the lock himself in the presence of family members.
The allegations of verbal abuse, threats, and harassment made by Mamatabala Thakur against Shantanu Thakur have deepened the rift between the two political factions, overshadowing the peaceful traditions of the religious community in Thakurnagar. The clash between these prominent figures reflects the larger political landscape in West Bengal, where tensions between opposing parties continue to escalate.