Violence erupts at Bengal Congress headquarters over candidate selection, party worker injured

Kolkata: Violence broke out at the West Bengal Pradesh Congress headquarters here on Wednesday during protests over candidate selection for the Assembly elections, leaving at least one party worker injured, police said.

It all started after agitated party workers staged a demonstration demanding the cancellation of "outsider" candidates, which soon escalated into clashes between rival factions.

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Their main grievance centred around the nomination of Rohan Mitra, son of former party president Somen Mitra, from Ballygunge Assembly constituency. The protestors claimed that Zayed Hossain had earlier been assured the ticket for the seat, but was later denied.

The agitating workers also alleged that the state Congress leadership had "sold tickets" for the Assembly elections, even as posters carrying the charge were put up at the party headquarters.

Eyewitnesses said heated arguments turned into scuffles, with workers engaging in physical fights in the presence of police personnel.

A Congress worker sustained a head injury after being allegedly hit with a rod during the clash.

Some protesters also staged a sit-in on a road, raising slogans and demanding the arrest of those involved in the violence.

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According to preliminary information, a section of party workers accused Youth Congress leader Kashif Reza of instigating the unrest. They alleged that Reza had sent supporters who assaulted party workers at the headquarters.

There were also allegations of misconduct against women party workers during the clashes. One woman worker reportedly fainted during the scuffle.

Despite police presence, the situation remained tense, with clashes and arguments continuing in front of the security personnel.

Discontent over candidate selection has surfaced in several districts since the Congress announced candidates for 284 Assembly seats on Sunday.

Protests have been reported from constituencies such as Amta, Bagnan, Shyampur, Uluberia South and Uluberia East.

Senior Congress leader and former party MLA Asit Mitra also expressed dissatisfaction over candidate selection.

"The choice of candidate has not gone down well with local workers. Their sentiments should have been taken into account. Ignoring grassroots workers while selecting candidates will only weaken the organisation and affect the party's prospects in the elections," he added.

In Purba Bardhaman district, agitated workers vandalised party offices and broke locks at the district Congress office over similar grievances.

In Falakata, protesters demanding a change of "outsider" candidates allegedly ransacked the block Congress office.