A day after CPM-TMC clashes, parties to hold rallies against each other in Kolkata

Kolkata: A day after supporters of the Trinamool Congress and the Communist Party of India - Marxist clashed with each other leaving more than 20 people injured, the two political parties have threatened to hold rallies against each other in Kolkata. The clashes took place at Bamanghata in South 24 Parganas district when the Left supporters were en route to Kolkata for a party rally.

While the CPI-M has alleged that the Trinamool Congress supporters led by their local leader Arabul Islam were behind the attack, the Trinamool Congress refuting the allegations has claimed that its supporters were attacked by the CPI-M men while passing the area. More than 20 vehicles carrying the Left supporters were reported to have been torched and ransacked in the attack.

The CPI-M had planned a protest rally in Kolkata against the attack on their leader Abdur Rezzak Mollah on Sunday. That attack took place at the same area and was allegedly led by the same Trinamool leader, Arabul Islam. Following the clashes, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held emergency meetings at the Writers' Buildings on Tuesday and ended up putting the blame squarely on the CPI-M.

Meanwhile, the CPM alleged that at least six of its supporters were injured in the attack and were moved to hospitals in Kolkata. Two have reportedly sustained bullet injuries.

With the Trinamool Congress leadership clearly backing Arabul Islam despite the back to back clashes which were allegedly led by him, West Bengal looks all set to return to the dark days of political violence in its run up to the panchayat polls. With a government that was already struggling with finances and opportunities, this might be the last thing people in West Bengal would want.