KOLKATA: West Bengal’s volatile political climate took a disturbing turn after posters threatening to behead BJP leader Tarun Mandal surfaced across multiple locations in the Dulduli area of Hingalganj district on January 6. The posters not only issued a chilling death threat to Mandal but also warned other BJP leaders to “be careful,” declaring that there would be severe consequences if senior leaders, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, attempted to hold public rallies in the area.
The identity of those behind the posters remains unknown, but the language and intent have triggered sharp political reactions, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of fostering a culture of fear and intimidation.
Reacting to the incident, Tarun Mandal said he was unfazed by the threats and dismissed them as a desperate political tactic. He alleged that the ruling TMC was behind the intimidation, claiming the party had lost its grip in Hingalganj and was resorting to “dirty politics” to scare the opposition into silence.
“The TMC knows it is staring at defeat in the coming assembly elections. That is why it is trying to spread fear,” Mandal said, adding that threats and posters would not weaken the BJP’s resolve on the ground.
The West Bengal BJP launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led government, calling the posters an example of “barbaric intimidation tactics” used to suppress dissent. In a strongly worded post on X, the party said the incident reflected the “extremist playbook” that now governs the state.
"MUNDU KATA HOBE" (HEADS WILL BE SEVERED) — TMC'S POLITICS OF HATE EXPOSED!
In Hingalganj, the mask of democracy has completely fallen off. Posters have surfaced openly threatening to BEHEAD BJP leader Tarun Mandal, warning of bloodshed if LoP Suvendu Adhikari holds a public… pic.twitter.com/ftVumx0GF1— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) January 6, 2026
“This is the EXTREMIST PLAYBOOK that now rules West Bengal under Mamata Banerjee. There is NO Freedom of Speech, NO Freedom of Expression, and NO Right to Dissent. In Mamata Banerjee’s Bengal, if you dare to oppose the regime or organise a democratic rally, the punishment is a death threat!” the BJP said.
The party further alleged that the ruling dispensation was rattled by growing public support for the opposition and was unable to counter it politically.
“These radical threats prove only one thing: TMC IS SCARED. Unable to fight politically, your cadres have resorted to medieval, barbaric intimidation tactics to silence voices,” the BJP said, asserting that fear-mongering would not stop democratic mobilisation.
Striking a defiant note, the BJP said intimidation and threats would not deter it from reaching out to the public. “You can tear down posters, you can issue threats of beheading, but you cannot silence the voice of the people! The BJP will not be intimidated by your goons. We will speak, we will rally, and we will democratically dismantle this intolerant, authoritarian regime in 2026,” the party declared.
