Siliguri, April 7 -- Political tensions escalated in Siliguri on Tuesday as BJP candidate Sankar Ghosh seeking re-election, challenged Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to an open public debate, even as the TMC alleged rising intimidation and violence ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference, Ghosh dared Banerjee to contest from Siliguri. "Let him stand against me here. The people will decide who truly has their support," he said.
The challenge came a day after Banerjee, at an election rally, sharply criticised Ghosh and accused the BJP of failing to deliver development in Siliguri.
Banerjee also threw a challenge to Sankar Ghosh to join him in an open debate on development issues....