Political Leaders Die in West Bengal; Parties Blame Each Other

In West Bengal, some political leaders have died recently. After these deaths, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have accused each other. Investigations are happening, but the political arguments continue.
By Newsroom | Politics, India |

The Unsettling Pattern of Deaths and Political Accusations

Recent events in West Bengal reveal a disturbing trend: the deaths of political figures, often accompanied by swift accusations between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In multiple instances, leaders from both parties have been found deceased, sparking intense political sparring and calls for thorough investigations. The circumstances surrounding these deaths range from alleged murder and personal disputes to family conflicts, creating a charged atmosphere where political blame is frequently assigned.

Bengal BJP demands death penalty for Trinamool leader arrested for murder - 1

Political Leaders Found Deceased Amidst Inter-Party Accusations

Over the past year, several political figures in West Bengal have met untimely deaths, igniting fierce exchanges between the BJP and the TMC.

Bengal BJP demands death penalty for Trinamool leader arrested for murder - 2

  • November 2024: Prithviraj Naskar, a BJP leader, was discovered dead inside a party office in the South 24 Parganas district. Police arrested a woman, citing a potential personal motive for the killing. However, the BJP immediately accused the TMC. Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh countered that the BJP was aware of the true reasons for Naskar's death but was falsely implicating the party.

  • November 2023: Subhadeep Mishra, a BJP leader who had recently contested local elections, was found hanging from a tree in Bankura district. His family reported him missing for seven days prior to the discovery. The BJP asserted that Mishra's hands were tied before he was hanged and accused "TMC goons" of the murder, demanding a CBI investigation. The TMC, in turn, criticized the BJP's statements as "vulture politics."

  • Another November 2023 Incident: Reports also emerged of another BJP leader found dead under circumstances prompting similar political accusations and demands for a CBI probe.

  • July 2025: A period of intense violence saw three TMC leaders killed within four days. Piyush Ghosh, a local panchayat president, was shot dead in Birbhum district. His murder was followed by the arrests of several individuals, with police apprehending multiple suspects in connection with these killings.

  • Recent Events (Implied by the first article): A Trinamool leader was arrested for murder. Following this arrest, the Bengal BJP called for the death penalty for the accused. The TMC suspended the arrested leader for six years, stating the party would not shield anyone involved in such acts. The victim in this case, Mr. Adhikari, was declared dead at a hospital in Barrackpore Cantonment.

Varying Investigations and Political Assertions

The official investigations into these deaths have presented different findings, often clashing with the narratives pushed by the political parties involved.

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Bengal BJP demands death penalty for Trinamool leader arrested for murder - 3

  • In the case of Prithviraj Naskar, police focused on a personal motive and arrested a woman. However, the BJP’s immediate reaction was to point to the TMC.

  • Regarding Subhadeep Mishra, while the BJP claimed the victim's hands were tied and directly blamed TMC members, the police’s investigative focus was not immediately detailed in the provided reports, though a CBI probe was demanded by the BJP.

  • For the murder of Rajib Biswas (August 2025), police stated that two family members, the victim's father and brother, were arrested, indicating a family dispute. A local TMC councilor also echoed this, stating none of the arrested belonged to the ruling party.

  • In the case of the TMC leaders' murders in July 2025, multiple arrests were made, suggesting a pattern of violence involving several individuals.

The Shadow of Broader Conspiracies

Beyond immediate perpetrators, political parties have also alluded to larger conspiracies.

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Bengal BJP demands death penalty for Trinamool leader arrested for murder - 4

  • Following the conviction of Sanjay Roy for a rape-murder case in January 2025, the BJP called for a probe into a larger conspiracy, while the TMC demanded the death penalty for the convicted individual. This incident, though not directly involving party leaders' deaths, highlights the tense political climate and the tendency to frame events within broader political conflicts.

  • The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also become involved. In December 2024, the NIA arrested a TMC worker in connection with the murder of a BJP leader, indicating the potential for national security implications or involvement of organized groups in such violence. The NIA had previously taken over the investigation into the murder case in April 2024.

Expert Commentary and Political Dynamics

The ongoing political friction surrounding these deaths underscores a pattern of blame-shifting and heightened rhetoric. Political analysts often observe that such incidents become focal points for inter-party warfare, where concrete evidence can be overshadowed by accusations aimed at damaging the opposing party’s image. The demand for CBI or NIA probes often signals a lack of faith in local police investigations, fueled by political distrust.

Conclusion and Unanswered Questions

The recurring deaths of political figures in West Bengal, coupled with the immediate and often partisan accusations, paint a picture of deep-seated political animosity. While investigations proceed, and arrests are made, the exact nature of responsibility and the presence of broader conspiracies remain subjects of intense political debate and public scrutiny. The swift calls for specific punishments, like the death penalty or CBI probes, indicate the high stakes and the erosion of trust in the established legal and investigative processes when political adversaries are involved. Further developments in these cases, particularly from official investigative agencies, will be crucial in discerning the facts from political narratives.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Have many political leaders died in West Bengal?
Yes, several political leaders from both the BJP and TMC have died in recent times.
Q: Who is blaming whom for these deaths?
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are blaming each other for the deaths.
Q: What are the reasons for the deaths?
The reasons vary, including alleged murder, personal issues, and family fights. Sometimes police find different reasons than what the parties claim.
Q: Are the police investigating these deaths?
Yes, police are investigating, and sometimes other agencies like the NIA are also involved. However, political parties often demand separate investigations.