Post-Poll Violence Across Bengal After Power Shift, BJP, TMC Blame Each Other, 4 Reported Killed

New Delhi: Allegations of post-poll violence have surfaced from several parts of West Bengal following the recent assembly election results, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) trading charges over multiple reported incidents.

Reports from districts including Birbhum, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Nadia and Bankura indicate there were clashes, vandalism or isolated deaths, though the accounts remain contested.

In Howrah’s Udaynarayanpur, a BJP supporter, Yadav Bar (48), died after being allegedly assaulted while returning home from victory celebrations, with family members blaming TMC-linked individuals. In Birbhum’s Nanur, the family of a TMC worker, Abir Sheikh, has alleged he was killed by BJP supporters.

BJP worker Madhu Mondal died after being beaten up allegedly by TMC workers during a so-called victory procession in the New Town on Tuesday evening, reports PTI. He was taken to hospital and declared brought dead. Attacks, alleggedly by BJP activists, then followed on residences of TMC workers in the area as well as a road blockade, the news agency reports.

In Kolkata's Beliaghata, a TMC worker, Bishwajit Pattnaik reportedly died after being found with serious injuries outside his home late on Monday night. His family has alleged murder and blamed BJP supporters, according to the Hindustan Times.

TMC MP Sagarika Ghosh posted a video (warning: graphic content) on X claiming it was of a TMC worker killed in the "widespread violence" in the state.

Police have registered cases in the incidents. Political motives have not been confirmed in any instance.

There have also been attacks on party offices, including allegations that TMC offices were vandalised or "occupied" in parts of Nadia, Bankura and South 24 Parganas. The BJP has denied involvement, attributing such incidents to local disputes unrelated to the party.

The Hindustan Times reports TMC offices were ransacked in Panihati in North 24 Parganas, Ghatal in Paschim Medinipur, Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman, and Diamond Harbour and Falta in South 24 Parganas.

In a separate development, police reportedly recovered "sharp weapons" from a TMC-linked office in Canning, South 24 Parganas. The TMC has reportedly denied any connection.

Videos and images circulating on social media purport to show incidents of violence and intimidation (warning: violent content). However, the authenticity and context of many of these clips have not been verified by The Wire. Police have reportedly said they are monitoring online content and warned against spreading misinformation.

#Breaking: #TMC leader Jahangir Khan’s party office vandalised in Falta, Diamond Harbour. pic.twitter.com/8vCKyg9aP7

— Pooja Mehta (@pooja_news) May 5, 2026

Congress leader Srinivas B.V. also shared a video of such an alleged attack, while taking a dig at the BJP, which made safety and security its electoral plank in the state election.

Bengal में Acche Din Finally Arrivedpic.twitter.com/RmkJOegkiz

— Srinivas BV (@srinivasiyc) May 5, 2026

At a meeting of BJP leaders in Bidhannagar, reports Anand Bazar Patrika, the party said post-poll violence would "not be tolerated", with state president Samik Bhattacharya, a Rajya Sabha MP, warning that those involved could face expulsion. He also urged the administration to act against violence "irrespective of political affiliation".

Separately, security arrangements around key locations were scaled back after vote counting on Monday (May 4), with barricades outside the chief minister’s residence removed and access restrictions eased shortly after the results. Security measures were also reportedly withdrawn from outside Abhishek Banerjee’s office on Camac Street, where police presence had earlier been tightened.

At Nabanna, the state secretariat in Kolkata, some government employees were reportedly seen celebrating the results with saffron flags and slogans such as "Jai Shri Ram" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai". TMC leader and MP Mohua Moitra posted a video of BJP workers and supporters aggressively celebrating the party's recent victory. A bulldozer featured in the celebrations.

Kolkata’s historic New Market. Bengalis revelling in Parivartan. pic.twitter.com/TfW6jJNkgo

— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) May 5, 2026

Reports from Murshidabad said late in the night that a statue of V.I. Lenin was smashed by unidentified miscreants near near Sripat Singh College in Jiaganj.

BJP smashed the Lenin statue in Jiaganj last night if that’s what you voted for, own it; if not, this is their real face. pic.twitter.com/Ua8qo6aWgm

— The Eccentric Man. (@CK_speak) May 5, 2026

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain an urgent hearing on a plea seeking continuance of central forces in West Bengal even after the polls to curb post-election violence. The court said this was a decision for the political executive.

Over 2,400 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces were deployed in Bengal in the run-up to the assembly elections. The Election Commission of India has decided to retain around 500 companies in the state until further orders to prevent post-poll violence.

The BJP won a decisive majority with over 200 seats in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, defeating the TMC, which was reduced to around 80 seats.

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