New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Priyangu Pandey was allegedly targeted in a violent attack in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district during the 12-hour Bangla bandh on Wednesday. According to reports, Pandey claimed that Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers opened fire at him and hurled bombs as he traveled through Bhatpara.Pandey alleges conspiracyDetailing the incident, Pandey said, I was on my way to our leader Arjun Singhs residence when our car was forced to stop by a jetting machine from Bhatpara Municipality. As soon as we halted, a mob of 50-60 people attacked the vehicle. They threw at least seven to eight bombs at us, followed by six to seven rounds of gunfire. This is a coordinated conspiracy between the Trinamool Congress and the police. His statement was quoted by the news agency ANI.Driver injured in attackBJP leader Arjun Singh, speaking to reporters, confirmed the attack, stating, Priyangu Pandeys car was ambushed today, with bullets fired at it. The driver has been shot, and seven rounds were discharged. This attack took place in the presence of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP). It was a deliberate attempt to assassinate Priyangu Pandey. Two individuals have been injured, one of them seriously.Watch the video here:TMC goons have resorted to bullets—opening fire on BJP Leader Priyangu Pandeys vehicle in Bhatpara, hitting his driver.This is Mamata Banerjees disgusting desperation on display!No matter how much blood they spill, the #BangalBandh is a resounding success because Bengal… pic.twitter.com/yUvMGJYpD2— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) August 28, 2024The injured driver was immediately taken to Bhatpara State General Hospital for treatment. The attack occurred just three minutes away from Pandeys home as the car slowed down to pass by a municipal truck.TMC leaders accusedArjun Singh pointed fingers at Trinamool leaders Tarun Sau and MLA Somnath Shyam, accusing them of orchestrating the attack. He alleged that the assailants were brought in from Kakinara to execute the plan.In a video shared on social media, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused TMC of orchestrating the attack, saying, A TMC goon fired at Priyangu Pandeys vehicle in Bhatpara, injuring the driver. Adhikari further condemned the TMC, adding, This is how Mamata Banerjee and her party are trying to suppress the BJP. The bandh has been a success, with widespread public support. However, the TMCs toxic collaboration with the police wont deter us.Protests against TMC governmentThe BJP has been protesting against the Trinamool government following the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The BJP called for a 12-hour Bangla bandh from 6 AM to 6 PM on Wednesday after police used lathi charges, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse protesters who attempted to march towards the state secretariat, Nabanna.The Nabanna Abhijan protest was organized by an unregistered student body, Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj, alongside a dissident group of state government employees, Sangrami Joutha Mancha.On August 27, the streets of Kolkata witnessed chaotic scenes as security personnel used tear gas, water cannons, and lathi-charges against protesters on Howrah Bridge who were marching towards Nabanna, all amidst the ongoing outrage over the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case.
