Kolkata, May 11 -- "Bengal is already witnessing a double engine disaster. Entire livelihoods have been reduced to ashes because hatred and intimidation are now being used as political tools," Abhishek Banerjee posted on social media on Monday and alleged that post-poll violence in West Bengal continues unabated, accusing the BJP of using fear and intimidation as political tools.
The remarks came in the wake of an alleged arson incident in Khejuri of East Midnapore district, where nearly 10 shops were reportedly set on fire late Sunday night in the West Bhangan Mari area under Jonka Gram Panchayat.
According to local residents, flames engulfed a row of small business establishments, reducing goods and infrastructure to ashes and leaving several families staring at an uncertain future. The Trinamool Congress national general secretary alleged that BJP-backed miscreants were behind the attack and claimed that the incident occurred in the presence of police personnel. The party further alleged that the livelihoods of several local traders were destroyed in what it termed a "planned act of political intimidation."
In his statement, Banerjee also questioned the role of Central forces, asking whether they were being deployed selectively to serve the BJP's political interests. He further raised concerns over the law-and-order situation, alleging that "violence appears protected under the BJP's shadow."
The post-poll violence has been continuing since the 2026 Assembly Election in West Bengal. Though the new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and the BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya urged the administration to take firm action, still 6 murders have been reported, with several cases of vandalism across the state.
On Monday, Abishek Banerjee also condemned the alleged vandalism of statues of Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu in Banshihari of South Dinajpur, calling it a "shameful and deeply provocative" act. He also said the incident was not merely an act of vandalism but "a direct attack on Adivasi pride, history and the identity of Bengal's tribal communities" and demanded immediate identification and strict punishment of those behind the incident.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.