Cooch Behar: With the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 just round the corner, fresh allegations of political violence have surfaced from Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district, where the vehicle of BJP candidate Sabitri Barman was allegedly vandalised on Sunday.

The BJP accused workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of carrying out the attack. The TMC, however, rejected the allegation, calling it ‘baseless’ and ‘politically motivated’.

According to local sources, tensions flared on Saturday ahead of a campaign programme when TMC supporters had gathered outside a party office.

At the same time, BJP leader and Mathabhanga candidate Nisith Pramanik was passing through the area with his supporters.

Eyewitnesses said the two groups engaged in slogan shouting, which escalated into a confrontation. During the clash, TMC alleged that its Ward No. 5 councillor Chandrashekhar Roy Basunia was assaulted.

In response, TMC leaders and workers staged a protest outside the local police station later that night.

The BJP claimed that during this protest, Sabitri Barman’s car was attacked when she passed through the area. The vehicle was reportedly damaged in the incident. No arrests have been reported so far.

Sitalkuchi remains a politically sensitive constituency. During the 2021 Assembly elections, four people were killed in firing by central forces during polling, an incident that had triggered widespread political outrage and continues to be referenced in campaign rhetoric.

Meanwhile, tension was also reported from other parts of the district. In southern Cooch Behar, BJP candidate Rathindra Bose faced protests during campaigning, with demonstrators showing black flags and raising “go back” slogans.

The BJP alleged that TMC supporters were behind the protest, while the ruling party denied involvement.

In a separate incident in Bankura district, the BJP alleged that a bus carrying its workers was attacked on Sunday evening after a rally addressed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The rally was held in support of BJP candidates in Sonamukhi and Indas constituencies.

According to the BJP, the bus was targeted while returning from the event, its windows were smashed, and at least one party worker was injured. Protesting the incident, BJP workers blocked the Bankura–Burdwan state highway at Dhanshimla.

The TMC denied any role in the Bankura incident as well, accusing the BJP of spreading misinformation ahead of the polls.

With campaigning intensifying, reports of clashes and allegations between rival parties continue to emerge from different parts of the state, underscoring the heightened political tensions in the run-up to the elections.