'Not democracy, but TMC's reign of thuggery': Rahul Gandhi over killing of Congress worker

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi on Sunday condemned the killing of a Congress worker Debdeep Chatterjee after the phase-1 polling was held in the state, blaming 'TMC thugs' for the incident."The murder of Congress worker Debdeep Chatterjee by TMC-affiliated thugs after the elections is utterly reprehensible. My deepest condolences to his bereaved family," said the Congress leader on X.Stepping up his attack on the ruling All India Trinamool Congress, he alleged that “thuggery” had replaced democracy in the state, accusing the party of intimidation and violence against political opponents even after voting. "In West Bengal today, it is not democracy that prevails, but TMC's reign of thuggery. Intimidating, attacking, and silencing opposing voices after votes are cast—this has become TMC's defining character. Congress's politics has never been rooted in violence, nor will it ever be. We too have lost our workers, yet we have always chosen the path of non-violence and constitutionalism. This is our legacy, this is our resolve," he added.Calling for punishment, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said, "The demand is clear—immediate arrest of all the guilty, the harshest punishment, and full security and compensation ensured for Debdeep's family. We will not bow before this politics that stains India's non-violent tradition. Justice will be done."According to West Bengal Congress, Chatterjee was was known to be working closely with Asansol North Congress candidate Prasenjit Puitandi. The party claimmed that he was attacked and beaten by "miscreants linked to the TMC" in a post-poll incident in Asansol and later succumbed to his injuries.The state unit termed the killing a sign of “complete collapse of law and order” and flagged concerns over the safety of opposition workers. It claimed that no FIR had been registered at the time of reporting and demanded immediate arrests, a fair and time-bound probe, and adequate compensation and protection for the victim’s family.