Kolkata: Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the lifeless body of a BJP worker, with bound hands, was discovered in a paddy field near his home on Saturday (23rd March) morning. The tragic incident unfolded in Pingla village, located in the Kharagpur subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal. The deceased was identified as Shantanu Ghorai. His father has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party of engineering his son's murder.

Speaking to the media, Shantanu’s father, Chittaranjan, expressed, “They were furious with him. He was outspoken about the truth. He paid with his life for his association with the BJP." He further elaborated that the TMC had previously intimidated Shantanu for openly criticizing the party and supporting the BJP. Chittaranjan continued, “They would threaten him whenever they encountered him in the market or neighborhood. They would warn him of severe consequences, including bodily harm and death.”

“Shantanu used to put up BJP flags before elections,” he added. When asked if the attack on his son was politically motivated ahead of the elections, Chittaranjan affirmed.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari condemned the incident and stated that party leaders have been holding protests in Pingla village to demand justice for the victim. Despite Shantanu’s hands being tied, a Trinamool Congress leader alleged that the BJP worker succumbed to intoxication.

“The death is unfortunate, but we never imagined that the BJP would require so many casualties before elections,” the TMC leader claimed, insinuating an internal conspiracy by the BJP to eliminate its own workers and pin the blame on the ruling party. A video circulating on social media depicted BJP MLA Hiraan Chatterjee stating that local police had refused to register a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the case.

“The victim's family is present here… His maternal uncle and brother are here, but the police officer is unwilling to file an FIR. This is the state of Mamata’s police force. He has kept us waiting for 9 hours but hasn’t lodged an FIR for murder yet,” informed Hiraan Chatterjee.

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