The tragic discovery of BJP leader Prithviraj Naskar’s body at his party office in Usthi, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, has sparked a new wave of political tension in the state.
Naskar, who managed social media for the BJP’s district unit, was reported missing on November 5, only for his blood-soaked body to be found on Friday night. Authorities have since arrested a woman in connection with his death, with initial investigations suggesting that the motive might be personal.
According to police sources, the woman reportedly confessed to attacking Naskar with sharp objects, leading to his fatal injuries. Officers who responded to the scene discovered that the party office was locked from the inside, but there appeared to be an escape route through a rear door, hinting at a possible escape plan.
Investigators tracked mobile signals, leading them to the arrested woman, who allegedly admitted to the crime during questioning. The police are exploring whether others may have been involved.
The incident quickly escalated into a heated exchange between the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC). BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar was quick to attribute Naskar’s murder to TMC-affiliated individuals, alleging that they sought to intimidate BJP supporters in the region.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Majumdar described Naskar as a “martyr” and vowed that the BJP would pursue justice for his death. The party’s state unit further accused TMC “goons” of abducting, torturing, and murdering Naskar, claiming that his family’s pleas for assistance were disregarded by police.
On the other hand, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh dismissed these accusations, asserting that the BJP was aware of the actual circumstances surrounding Naskar’s death and was intentionally spreading falsehoods to implicate the TMC.
Ghosh mentioned reports suggesting Naskar had personal conflicts with multiple individuals, which could have led to the attack. He also noted that the injuries appeared to show intense animosity, implying a motive rooted in personal enmity rather than political rivalry. Ghosh expressed his hope that the police would thoroughly investigate all aspects of the case to uncover the truth.
Naskar’s family members added another layer to the narrative, claiming that he had been warned by local TMC leaders due to his involvement in protests during the recent Durga Puja.
Naskar had reportedly organised demonstrations demanding justice for a victim from RG Kar Hospital, which he publicised through posters in his locality. His father revealed that these actions had earned Naskar hostility from some TMC activists, who allegedly issued threats in response to his outspoken advocacy on local issues.
As the police continue to piece together the details of Naskar’s killing, political friction between the BJP and TMC shows no signs of abating. Each side remains steadfast in its position, with the BJP portraying Naskar’s death as a consequence of political vendetta, while the TMC insists on a more complex motive possibly linked to personal disputes.
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