NEW DELHI: At least nine people, including members of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), were arrested after a clash broke out outside Ekbalpur Police Station in Kolkata on Monday amid heightened election campaigning.According to Kolkata Police, the violence erupted on Hossain Shah Road during a political programme led by BJP candidate Rakesh Singh. The situation escalated after sloganeering by BJP supporters was met with counter-slogans from TMC workers, triggering a heated confrontation that soon turned violent.Police intervened to bring the situation under control and prevent further escalation. “Three FIRs have been registered against different groups in connection with the incident,” Kolkata Police said, according to news agency ANI. Officials confirmed that five BJP workers and four TMC workers were taken into custody.

Tensions rise ahead of polling

The incident comes at a time when West Bengal is witnessing an intense political contest ahead of the Assembly elections, scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting on May 4.The state, which has 294 Assembly seats and a majority mark of 148, is seeing a high-stakes battle between the ruling TMC and the BJP, both of which have ramped up campaigning in the final stretch.Meanwhile, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has stepped up her attack on the BJP, alleging attempts to disrupt her campaign. She recently claimed that her flight was deliberately delayed and accused the party of deploying “cherry-picked” officers to create hurdles.Banerjee also alleged that BJP leaders were trying to intimidate TMC workers through false cases and misuse of agencies, urging voters to remain vigilant during polling and counting.