Pistols were being waved aloft against the background of Trinamool flags. (Press Trust of India photo)
It is a sight not seen in Bengal politics in recent history. Trinamool Congress workers on Monday walked in a procession for a party meeting and in the hands of many were 9 mm pistols. At least four, some say eight. First no one really noticed, then someone fired a shot - much in the style of a '
barati'.
The opposition has gone to town, slamming Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for "mafia raj", attacks coming in from CPM, Congress and the BJP. The district reporter who first reported the incident has allegedly been threatened by Trinamool leaders over phone and filed an FIR.
Pistols were being waved aloft against the background of Trinamool flags. Trinamool workers from Ward 10 of the Kandi municipality in Murshidabad district were on their way to a meeting to be addressed by Trinamool lawmaker Subhendu Adhikari.
Later, the MP said the entire episode was "stage managed" by the local Congress legislator to embarrass the Trinamool. Party leader Partha Chatterjee says the matter will be probed.
Police say they are trying to get the footage. But at least three of the pistol-wielding men in the procession have been identified as Trinamool workers.