Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: Mamata Banerjee vs. Suvendu Adhikari: Tension flares once again in Bhawanipur. The atmosphere is charged over election rallies, with "Joy Bangla" slogans on one side and "Jai Shri Ram" on the other.
Bhawanipur, Kolkata: The second phase of voting is right at the doorstep. And the epicenter of this phase of the election is Bhawanipur. This is because the constituency features a battle between two of Bengal's political heavyweights: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee versus the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari. Consequently, both Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari are wrapping up their final Saturday campaign blitzes in the Bhawanipur constituency ahead of the polls. This time, however, the campaigning has once again sparked intense tension. Tension has returned to Bhawanipur. On Saturday, both a foot march (padayatra) and public outreach programs were underway in the constituency. While Suvendu Adhikari was engaging in public outreach on one side, Mamata Banerjee was campaigning on the other through a foot march accompanied by music. It was at this precise moment that the supporters and workers of the two heavyweights came face-to-face. A "slogan war" ensued—"Joy Bangla" on one side, and "Jai Shri Ram" on the other. This clash immediately triggered a highly volatile situation. Suvendu Adhikari subsequently halted his public outreach program.
Suvendu Adhikari stated, "I was granted permission for public outreach specifically for the area falling under the jurisdiction of the Bhawanipur Police Station; permission was not granted for the Kalighat side. I will not enter any area where I do not have permission. However, they [the opposition] played loudspeakers on that very route. On the route for which I *did* obtain permission—the route designated for my campaign—that 'rabble,' those 'gutter worms'—Mamata's party, the Trinamool Congress (a party of thieves)—played loudspeakers. I intend to lodge complaints against both the Bhawanipur Police Station and the Kalighat Police Station with the Election Commission."
It is worth noting that a similar situation had arisen on the day Suvendu Adhikari—the BJP candidate for the Bhawanipur constituency—filed his nomination papers. Widespread tension had gripped the Kalighat area surrounding a BJP roadshow featuring Amit Shah. The situation turned volatile the moment Amit Shah's roadshow reached the vicinity of the Chief Minister's residence in Kalighat. Trinamool workers and supporters began staging protests, chanting "Joy Bangla" slogans. "Thief! Thief!" slogans were also raised. BJP workers and supporters began shouting counter-slogans in response. The situation turned absolutely volatile at that moment, fueled by the exchange of slogans and counter-slogans. A Trinamool supporter remarked, "You cannot come here for just a single day and expect to capture Bhabanipur. For 365 days a year, the 'Ma-Mati-Manush' government—led by Mamata Banerjee—resides here. We will not allow you to make an entry in this manner." Another Trinamool worker asked, "Why has Amit Shah come here spending so much money? It is Didi who is going to win, after all!" Yet another added, "They have merely come here for a sightseeing tour. After the 4th, not a single one of them will be seen around. Mamata Banerjee has always been here; she is here now, and she will remain here."