New Delhi: A tragic incident marred Trinamool Congress’s victory celebrations in West Bengal’s Nadia district, where a fourth-grade student lost her life in a suspected bomb attack. The incident occurred just hours after Trinamool candidate Alifa Ahmed secured a decisive win in the Kaliganj assembly bypoll, defeating her rival by 49,143 votes.
According to local sources, Trinamool workers began celebrating their victory by throwing green abir (powder) and rallying in the streets. During the celebrations in the Melendi area of Kaliganj, an explosion occurred—allegedly from a crude bomb—killing a young girl who was returning home. She was found in a critically injured state and rushed for medical help but succumbed to her injuries. The child, a student of class four, reportedly lived nearby.
There are also allegations that a bomb was thrown at the residence of a CPM supporter in the same area around the same time.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep sorrow over the incident, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “I am shocked by this incident. My condolences to the family of the deceased. Let the police take legal action. The accused must be arrested as soon as possible.”
The incident has triggered a political blame game between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP. BJP leader Jagannath Chatterjee slammed the ruling party, stating, “What kind of triumphalism is this? When BJP celebrates, we burst harmless firecrackers like chocolate bombs or kalipatkas. This is not celebration, this is violence.”
In response, Trinamool leader Jayaprakash Majumdar accused the BJP of disrupting the celebration. “We suspect the BJP threw the bomb from behind the victory procession. They are the ones who stockpile bombs,” he alleged.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has asked the District Magistrate for a detailed report on the child’s death. The commission is also examining the allegations made against the Trinamool Congress. A senior EC official said, “Why a bomb was needed during a winning celebration is a big question.” The BJP has gone further to question the future of West Bengal under Trinamool’s leadership, with party spokespersons warning that “the faith of the people will erode if such violence continues.”
The police have launched an investigation into the matter and are working to maintain law and order in the area. The Election Commission has taken serious note of the incident and plans to initiate discussions on implementing stricter precautions during vote counting and post-poll celebrations. A final plan is expected to be in place ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
