Tension flared up in East Midnapore on Friday afternoon when Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari entered the Mahishadal Police Station to confront the Officer-in-Charge (OC). Adhikari has leveled serious allegations against the police, claiming that the OC is actively trying to poach BJP leaders on behalf of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The controversy revolves around Vishwanath Bandyopadhyay, a veteran BJP leader who was reportedly ‘hurt’ and inactive for a few days. Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the Mahishadal OC contacted Bandyopadhyay over the phone and tried to persuade—or coerce—him into joining the TMC. Upon hearing this, Adhikari reached the station and issued a stern warning to the officer in his chamber. “I am warning you for the last time. Your job is to maintain law and order, not to act as a broker for the TMC. Do not try to break our party using your uniform,” Adhikari reportedly told the OC.

The incident has sparked a massive political row in the district. Vishwanath Bandyopadhyay has also admitted to receiving ‘unusual’ calls from the police station during his period of inactivity. Meanwhile, the TMC has dismissed the allegations as a “publicity stunt.” They claimed that the BJP is suffering from severe internal infighting and Suvendu is merely trying to distract people by blaming the police. As West Bengal moves towards the 2026 Assembly elections, this direct confrontation between the LoP and the police department signals a volatile political atmosphere in the Adhikari stronghold.