In the wake of the escalating political tension between the TMC and the BJP in Tripura, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee reached the state capital Agartala on Monday. He said, “Tripura has turned into a banana republic. If you have grievances against me, blow up my car. Why harass the people of the state?”

He added, “Normal people are being attacked. Media is being attacked. Every time I come here they cancel my events. Even this time, yesterday, they cancelled permission for my rally.”

On Monday, the Tripura Police said neither the BJP nor the TMC will be allowed to hold rallies or roadshows in Agartala on Monday in view of the ‘escalating tension’ in the city.

The civic body polls in the BJP-ruled state are to be held on November 25.

WHAT HAPPENED IN TRIPURA?

On Sunday, the TMC alleged that their party workers were beaten with sticks and stones inside a police station in Agartala by BJP members. The TMC members had gathered at the police station after party leader Saayoni Ghosh was taken there for questioning in the morning. Saayoni Ghosh was later arrested by the police under attempt to murder charges.

Several people were also injured in an attack on the TMC state unit’s Steering Committee chief Subal Bhowmik’s residence in Bhagaban Thakur Chowmuni area of Agartala on Sunday night. Police and Tripura State Rifles personnel were deployed in the area. The TMC has alleged that “members of the media” were also “clobbered”.

Meanwhile, the BJP has denied TMC’s allegations.