Supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a charged celebration outside the house of the former Chief Minister (CM) of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, on Saturday, hours after Suvendhu Adhikari assumed the charge of the post. Heightened post-poll tensions in the state were intensified by the provocative sloganeering, as the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year-rule came to an end.
A screengrab from the incident
Bike, car-borne supporters set slogan-hailing in motion
Visuals captured from the spot showed BJP supporters riding bikes and cars, who gathered near Banerjee’s residence, waving party flags and chanting slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Chor Mamata.’ One person was seen carrying a life-size cutout of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, who repeatedly circled the area and stopped outside the gate thereafter. He was then seen gesturing towards the cutout while hailing slogans against Banerjee.
The situation was about to escalate when a gatekeeper and locals intervened, asking the group to disperse. A heated verbal spat ensued, though no reports of violence emerged. Additional supporters, including a group arriving in an autorickshaw adorned with BJP flags, also joined the demonstration before leaving the spot.
Security arrangements scaled down outside Banerjee’s house
The incident comes days after security arrangements outside the residences of Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee were scaled down. Police clarified later that the security had not been withdrawn completely, but that additional deployment in light of the election-related law and order had been reduced.
Banerjee refused to step down as CM, prompting Governor to dissolve Assembly
Bengal's former CM Mamata Banerjee
The backdrop to the incident is Banerjee’s refusal to step down as the Chief Minister of the state following the results on May 4, 2026. She alleged electoral irregularities and declined to step down immediately. However, the state’s Governor, RN Ravi later dissolved the Assembly, aiding the BJP in forming the government.
Post-poll violence add to political unrest
The political transition, however, did not unfold without unrest. Reports of sporadic post-poll violence surfaced from several districts of the state, as clashes between rival party workers contributed to tensions. The TMC levelled allegations of vandalism against BJP supporters.
Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead in Madhyamgram earlier
The situation took a grave turn earlier this week after CM Adhikari’s close aide and PA, Chandranath Rath, was shot dead in Madhyamgram.