Vandalism Incidents Escalate Tensions in West Bengal Polls

Tensions escalated in West Bengal's election campaign on Sunday as incidents of alleged vandalism and disruptions marred polling preparations in Kolkata and Berhampore, prompting police action and scrutiny from the Election Commission.

In south Kolkata's Parnasree area, workers from the Trinamool Congress reportedly vandalized the Bharatiya Janata Party's election office in the Behala Paschim constituency, according to complaints filed by BJP leaders. The attack, which occurred in front of local police officers, involved damaging flags, banners, and stealing laptops and other materials, BJP candidate Indranil Khan alleged. Khan accused TMC candidate and sitting MLA Ratna Chattopadhyay, along with her supporters, of orchestrating the assault, claiming it stemmed from fears of an impending defeat. "It has been three hours, and still the central forces are not visible here," Khan said in his complaint to Parnasree police station.

Kolkata Police registered a first information report against Chattopadhyay and six others on Monday, following a separate complaint from BJP leader Manoj Halder. The FIR detailed wrongful restraint, physical assault on an associate, and the theft. Six...