High drama and tension gripped Bhowanipore today as clashes broke out between TMC and BJP supporters just before BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari could file his nomination. The situation escalated rapidly near the entrance of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence, where workers from both parties engaged in a heated scuffle and slogan-shouting match.

The unrest reached such a peak that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s convoy was halted by the surging crowd. For security reasons and to navigate the narrow, congested street, Shah had to step out of his regular convoy and switch to a smaller vehicle to reach the destination. The entire area has been cordoned off by a massive police force to prevent further escalation. With Bhowanipore witnessing such a volatile face-off on the day of the high-profile nomination, the political temperature in West Bengal has reached a boiling point.