A major political confrontation erupted in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district on August 5, when the convoy of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari came under attack in the Khagrabari area during a BJP protest march. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that the attackers were supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), while the TMC has dismissed the claim as a “well-scripted drama.”
The incident occurred around 12:35 PM, when Adhikari was on his way to lead a protest outside the Superintendent of Police’s office. The BJP has claimed that this was a pre-planned attack aimed at eliminating the LoP, while TMC insists that the violence was the result of BJP’s internal disputes.
#WATCH | Cooch Behar, West Bengal: The convoy of West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari was allegedly attacked in Cooch Behar, while he was on his way to the Superintendent of Police Office. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/586iocZFHn
— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025
“They wanted to kill me”: Adhikari alleges assassination plot
Speaking to reporters after the incident, Adhikari alleged a conspiracy to kill him, accusing the state police and TMC’s top leadership of orchestrating the attack.
“This attack was done to kill me. It was executed by the police on the instructions of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee. We have submitted evidence of the attack and have the report receipt,” Adhikari claimed.
Today, my convoy was brazenly attacked at Khagrabari More; Cooch Behar district, while I was en route to the SP’s Office, as mandated by the Hon’ble Calcutta High Court, to submit a deputation regarding the deteriorating law and order in Cooch Behar. This follows recent violent… pic.twitter.com/uaIHhiyiZY
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) August 5, 2025
He further revealed that he was travelling in a bulletproof car on the advice of BJP MP Nishith Pramanik, who had received intelligence inputs that his car might be set ablaze during the protest.
“I came here after the court granted me permission. Still, this mob attacked me. They were Rohingyas. Nishith warned me to sit in the bulletproof car as he got input that my vehicle would be torched,” Adhikari alleged.
In an emotionally charged statement, the BJP leader declared:
“I will take revenge. I will remember this. When we come to power, we will use bulldozers.”
Violent scenes: Shoes hurled, vehicles damaged
As Adhikari’s convoy entered Khagrabari, a crowd reportedly gathered waving TMC party flags and black flags. According to BJP leaders, the protesters chanted “Go Back” slogans and hurled shoes at the convoy.
Visuals shared on social media show angry protesters hitting vehicles with party flags, pelting stones, and throwing footwear. A police escort car had its windshield shattered, and at least one other vehicle was also damaged.
#WATCH | Cooch Behar, West Bengal: The convoy of West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari was allegedly attacked in Cooch Behar, while he was on his way to the Superintendent of Police Office.
(Video Source: Former MoS Home, Nisith Pramanik; earlier visuals) pic.twitter.com/dryuPkTb3P
— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether there were any injuries in the clash.
BJP blames TMC, announces statewide protests
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya condemned the attack and announced statewide protests from North Bengal to South Bengal.
“We will brief BJP national president JP Nadda about this. They (TMC) are importing Bangladeshi infiltrators into Bengal. These attacks are happening everywhere,” Bhattacharya alleged.
The BJP described the incident as a “pre-planned attempt to intimidate the Leader of Opposition” and accused the ruling party of using violence to suppress dissent.
Just 5km within the Bangladesh border at the notorious Khagrabari, today LoP Suvendu Adhikari was attacked by a mob of over 50+. Coincidence ? Absolutely NOT. LoP Suvendu Adhikari openly challenges that this is where his Rohingya-Bangladeshi Hatao Yatra will begin in coming days pic.twitter.com/t0b6Kjtmv2
— Sudhanidhi Bandyopadhyay (@SudhanidhiB) August 5, 2025
TMC hits back: “BJP’s scripted drama”
The TMC, however, strongly refuted the allegations, calling the entire episode a political stunt.
“This is a well-scripted drama by the BJP. The incident is the result of their internal factionalism, not our party workers,” the TMC said in its official statement.
Police, administrative response
While tensions ran high in Khagrabari, the West Bengal Police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the attack or confirmed the number of arrests made, if any.
Adhikari has filed an official police complaint against TMC minister Udayan Guha, who heads the North Bengal Development Department, and others allegedly involved in the attack.
Political tensions in Bengal intensify
The incident comes amid a highly charged political atmosphere in West Bengal, where the BJP has accused the ruling party of state-sponsored violence, while the TMC accuses the opposition of spreading chaos for political mileage.
Adhikari’s fiery remarks about revenge and bulldozers have added a new dimension to the ongoing political battle in Bengal. With statewide BJP protests announced and TMC denying any role, the political temperature in the state shows no signs of cooling.
