TMC and BJP Trade Blame Over Arson Attacks in West Bengal's Khejuri

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee has accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed miscreants of setting fire to nearly ten shops in the Khejuri area of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal. Banerjee alleged that the arson occurred in front of police personnel and criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah for promoting targeted violence, terming the situation a double-engine disaster. In response, a local BJP leader denied the charges, asserting that the party advocates for peace and claiming that TMC-instigated individuals are attempting to create unrest under the BJP's name. While Banerjee initially claimed sixty shops were burned, he later cited video evidence of approximately ten shops being destroyed. Police officials confirmed that five shops were set ablaze by unidentified bike-borne attackers late on Sunday night, prompting the deployment of Rapid Action Force and central security forces to the region. The incident highlights escalating political tensions and mutual accusations between the ruling state party and the opposition ahead of ongoing political maneuvers in the region.