Pictures by Bibhash Lodh/BS News Agency.
Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency: From Madan Mitra to Tapas Chatterjee, ahead of the second phase of voting, various figures have issued threats—some warning they would uproot police stations right in front of the police and central forces, while others were seen wagging their fingers and berating officers to their faces. As these videos of Trinamool candidates surfaced, the BJP launched a scathing attack. Resentment, fury, threats, and warnings—the state is boiling over. Until just a few days ago, it was alleged that a section of police officers would dance to the tunes of Trinamool's leaders—whether big, small, or mid-ranking; now, that very same Trinamool is accusing many of those same officers of working on behalf of the BJP.
Some are barging into police station premises, wagging their fingers and issuing intimidation. Others are issuing warnings directly in the presence of the police and central forces. Still others are venting their fury specifically against the central forces. Tapas Chatterjee—the outgoing MLA and Trinamool candidate for Rajarhat-New Town—was heard saying, "You have initiated a *suo motu* case against my party president, the Borough Chairman. Go right ahead, *Barobabu* [Officer-in-Charge]; carry on."
Meanwhile, in Kamarhati, the Trinamool candidate and outgoing MLA, Madan Mitra, stood directly before the police and central forces to issue a public warning. He was heard declaring, "You should have stopped *them* from doing these things to us; they will be gone in four days anyway. After the 5th, I will uproot this police station and throw it outside. Today, Modi is doing it. A motorcycle rally is taking place in Baranagar. The BJP is holding a motorcycle rally right here. Yet, you obstructed *us*. Why? Are we murderers? Are we bandits?"
Madan Mitra continued to issue warnings even after stepping out of the police station. He stated, "Amit Shah boasted, 'We will beat them black and blue on the 5th.' Well, not on the 5th—*we* will strike on the 29th. We will strike against anyone who tries to stop us—anyone who prevents the people from casting their votes. If someone blocks my vote, am I not supposed to resist? I will snatch the batons right out of their hands. If they dare lay a hand on us, the entire state of Bengal will be set ablaze." In Nadanghat, East Bardhaman, a clash erupted between the two sides following allegations that bricks were hurled at the Trinamool party office from a BJP procession. Swapan Debnath, the Trinamool candidate for Purbasthali South, vented his frustration regarding the conduct of the central forces. He stated, "They entered our office and assaulted our workers. Two individuals are currently battling for their lives in the hospital, yet the central police are merely standing by here. Where exactly were the central police?"
BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya remarked, "We haven't heard any statements from 'Madan-da' for quite some time. He has made an appearance at the very last moment—and that signifies his end; it's curtains for him. Furthermore, such tactics are typical of the Trinamool. Would they really refrain from doing this? After all, a lamp is bound to flare up one last time just before it is extinguished."
All in all, ahead of the second phase of voting, the exchange of threats and warnings has reached a fever pitch.