West Bengal's first post-poll murder victims are TMC poll agent, BJP footsoldier

KOLKATA: The city saw two post-poll deaths in the last 24 hours as a Trinamool Congress poll agent was found dead at his doorstep in Beleghata and another BJP worker killed in New Town's Baligari after a scuffle with a group of Trinamool workers.

In the first incident, family members said Biswajit Pattanaik (45) was at his home in Kabi Sukanta Sarani all day following the announcement of election results and left home around 7 pm after receiving a phone call. Half an hour later, his family heard loud banging on their door and he was found lying at the doorstep in a pool of blood.





Police have started a murder case based on the complaint lodged by his family but said they were checking all angles. A post-mortem has been conducted and forensic experts will examine the spot. The BJP has denied any role in the incident.

"Prima facie, we have found that he was chased. He ran inside and locked the main door. But the accused tried to break it down. In fear, he climbed up to the terrace. He then tried to get down from the cornice in another direction. However, he lost balance and fell. He fell on a tap which broke and washed away his blood. That is the reason the family did not see blood at the spot although he was bleeding from nose and ears," claimed a policeman.

The family, though, claimed he was assaulted. "It was after 7 pm that he came down receiving a call. He was attacked by goons once he stepped on the road. They chased him. They even broke the main door and brought him outside only to assault him mercilessly. There were several neighbours, but they were too scared to help," claimed Biswanath Das, the father-in-law of the victim. "I still cannot get over the sight," cried his sister. According to Das, the victim worked as a chef in Behala. Biswajit is survived by his 4-year-old boy, wife and elderly parents.

MLA Kunal Ghosh said Biswajit was an active Trinamool worker. "I have spoken to the Beleghata OC and we are collating things from all possible sources. Why attack and kill an innocent?" asked Ghosh.

Biswajit's death has found resonance in a very similar murder that was reported right after the assembly results in 2021. Abhijit Sarkar, a BJP worker, was murdered in Beleghata on May 2, 2021. He was allegedly dragged out of his home and killed, with his family alleging Trinamool involvement. The case is presently being investigated by the CBI, which has named former Trinamool MLA Paresh Pal and 19 others in supplementary charge sheets, leading to arrests and judicial custody of even police officers in 2025.

In the second case at New Town, sources said the deceased, Madhu Mondal (46), and a group of BJP workers had gone to the house of a local Trinamool functionary to threaten and seize a Trinamool party office on Tuesday afternoon. A scuffle ensued between the supporters of the two parties when one Kamal Mondal allegedly pushed Madhu and kicked him on his chest. Mondal fell unconscious, his party workers took him to the nearest hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. As news spread, BJP supporters vandalized Kamal's house.

BJP MLA Piyush Kanodia visited the victim's home, offered condolences, and demanded a thorough investigation and the arrest of the accused. Mondal has been absconding.