Kolkata: Political tensions flared across West Bengal on Tuesday as the Trinamool Congress' (TMC) annual Martyrs' Day observance was overshadowed by allegations of stage vandalism, protests outside Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence, and claims of attacks on party workers travelling to Kolkata for the rally.

The stage erected in front of the Birla Planetarium for the July 21 programme was allegedly vandalised late on Monday night.

Banners and hoardings were found strewn across the road, while a section of the pandal was reportedly damaged.

Following the incident, Banerjee, along with senior TMC leaders including Dola Sen and Derek O'Brien, rushed back to the venue and remained there overnight to prevent any further disruption.

The damaged stage was rebuilt by Tuesday morning, with the party asserting that the tribute ceremony would go ahead as scheduled.

The TMC observes Martyrs' Day every year to commemorate the 13 Congress workers killed in police firing during a protest in Kolkata on July 21, 1993.

https://x.com/ians_india/status/2079415562824999265 This year's observance has been marked by political friction, with three separate TMC factions organising individual rallies across the city.

As the programmes began on Tuesday, fresh flashpoints emerged.

According to TMC sources, a group of BJP workers staged a protest outside Mamata Banerjee's residence, raising ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans before police dispersed them.

The ruling party also alleged that TMC workers travelling from Maliapota village in Nadia's Chapra to attend the Kolkata rally were stopped near the Krishnanagar Bus Stand by BJP supporters.

The party claimed its workers were assaulted, their vehicles vandalised, and some injured supporters were prevented from reaching a hospital. The BJP has not responded to the allegations.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders accused police of stopping buses carrying their workers from Purba Medinipur who were heading to a separate rally at Shahid Minar in Kolkata.

The Congress alleged that multiple buses were halted in Chandipur, prompting party workers to stage a peaceful protest at the spot.

The developments added to an already charged political atmosphere, with rival rallies, protests and allegations of obstruction dominating this year's Martyrs' Day events in West Bengal.