union-minister-involved-in-clash-over-matua-matriarch-s-residence-in-bengal-tmc-responds

Political tension flared in the Matua-majority Thakurnagar area of West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Sunday night as supporters of Union State Minister and Bangaon Lok Sabha MP Shantanu Thakur clashed with those of Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Bala Thakur over control of a house formerly inhabited by community matriarch Binapani Devi, fondly known as 'Boroma.'

In a purported video, Shantanu Thakur and his supporters were seen breaking the gates of the house where Binapani Devi resided until her passing five years ago.

While the TMC alleged that the incident occurred when Shantanu Thakur and his supporters forcibly attempted to seize control of Mamata Bala Thakur's residence at Boroma’s house, the Bharatiya Janata Party MP claimed that Mamata Bala Thakur had been unlawfully occupying the entire property.

It's noteworthy that Shantanu Thakur is Binapani Devi's grandson, while Mamata Bala Thakur is her daughter-in-law.

"BJP's hooliganism at its peak. Shocking visuals are coming from Bongaon where BJP candidate & their leader @Shantanu_bjp, along with his goons carrying sharp objects & arms, are planning a violent attack on our Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Thakur’s residence," the TMC tweeted along with a video of the incident.

Today, BJP MP and Union MoS @Shantanu_bjp stood as a bystander while Central Forces desecrated Thakurnagar Thakurbari by entering the temple complex with their shoes on.

This is not his first offence – the same was witnessed on June 11 when Shri Abhishek Banerjee visited… pic.twitter.com/M55wW7FTG9

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 7, 2024

However, the authenticity of the video could not be verified.

Shantanu Thakur asserted that despite being one of the legal claimants of the property, "Mamata Bala Thakur has been illegally occupying the entire property and even converting a portion of it into a TMC party office".

"I am one of the legal heirs and have full right over half of this property. But Mamata Bala Thakur has taken full control of it illegally," the Union Minister alleged.

Responding to the allegations, Mamata Bala Thakur, a former Lok Sabha MP and current Rajya Sabha member, denied the accusations and filed a police complaint against the incident.

"I have lodged a complaint at Gaighata Police Station as Shantanu Thakur and his associates tried to break in at my house. They have forcibly entered into my residence," she stated.

Shantanu Thakur had defeated Mamata Bala Thakur, an influential leader of the Matua community, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) issues were the main poll planks.