Kolkata, April 1 West Bengal Congress headquarters 'Bidhan Bhawan' witnessed clashes on Wednesday between party workers over the candidature of Rohan Mitra, son of former state Congress president Somen Mitra, leading to a chaotic situation in the premises.
Tension escalated in the afternoon, with at least one worker sustaining a head injury during the scuffle. There were also allegations of molestation involving female workers. Central forces had to be deployed to bring the situation under control.
Protesting workers alleged that the state Congress leadership had “sold tickets” for the Assembly elections, with posters carrying such accusations pasted on the walls of Vidhan Bhavan.
According to those protesting, resentment had been building among party workers who were denied tickets. The immediate trigger was the nomination of Rohan Mitra from the Ballygunge constituency.
Protesters claimed that South Kolkata Congress leader Zayed Hossain was earlier expected to be fielded from the seat, but his candidature was replaced.
They further alleged that the change in candidate was the result of a monetary transaction, a charge not independently verified.
On Wednesday, Zayed Hossain reached Vidhan Bhavan and demanded that Rohan Mitra’s candidature be cancelled immediately, asserting that he was the rightful claimant for the Ballygunge seat.
He said that a section of the party leadership had earlier assured him that he would be nominated from the constituency, but he was not given any explanation for the last-minute change.
Party sources indicated that there had been apprehensions of unrest over candidate selection in several constituencies, which eventually spilled over into open clashes at the headquarters.
During the unrest, furniture including chairs and tables was vandalised.
Several people were injured in the scuffle, with one person suffering a head injury. Leaders present at the spot were unable to control the situation, following which central forces were called in.
Senior Congress leader Asit Mitra said: “I have never seen such a situation before!”
Even as the unrest unfolded at the party office, Rohan Mitra was campaigning in Ballygunge. Responding to queries from the media, he said, “I have also heard about the uproar. I cannot say who or what is causing the uproar. I am campaigning wherever the party has nominated me.”
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