Political tensions flared up in Jalpaiguri following a controversial statement by TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee against BJP candidate and advocate Anantadeb Adhikari. While campaigning for TMC’s Krishna Das, Abhishek alleged that the BJP candidate remains in an inebriated state throughout the day and is severely addicted to alcohol. He further claimed that Adhikari misbehaves with women, though he added a disclaimer of not wanting to hurt anyone personally.

In retaliation, hundreds of BJP workers launched a massive protest march across Jalpaiguri town on Tuesday night. The saffron camp condemned the remarks as a direct insult to a respected professional from the Scheduled Caste community. BJP Mahila Morcha President Priti Barman issued a 24-hour ultimatum, demanding a public apology from Abhishek Banerjee. “If he doesn’t apologize, we will not only move the Election Commission but also file a defamation suit in the High Court,” she warned. As the election draws near, this bitter war of words has shifted the focus from developmental issues to personal mudslinging in North Bengal.