Kumar Bahukhandi
Villagers caught TMC leader and BJP woman leader drinking alcohol in Jalpaiguri -Screengrab
There was a dispute over a liquor party in the car of TMC and BJP leaders in the Apalchand forest of Jalpaiguri. When the villagers caught TMC leader Panchanan Roy and BJP Mahila Morcha president Deepa Banik Adhikari drinking alcohol in the car, they created a ruckus.
A late night liquor party in a car involving leaders of two different political parties in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri has sparked controversy. Villagers caught TMC and BJP leaders drinking together in a car parked in a secluded forest. The incident took place near the Apalchand forest. Locals became suspicious when they saw a private car parked in the area for an unusually long time. When a crowd gathered and demanded the occupants to come out, they were stunned to see BJP Mahila Morcha’s Jalpaiguri district president Deepa Banik Adhikari sitting in a TMC leader’s car.
It was later revealed that Panchanan Roy, a TMC panchayat samiti president and district-level leader, was hosting a liquor party with Dipa Banik Adhikari and her driver. Angry villagers surrounded the car and protested, and filmed the entire incident. The footage shows Adhikari sitting in the backseat of the car. When confronted by locals, she slides a plastic glass filled with liquor into the front seat.
A man is also seen in the car, who is said to be the driver. As soon as the camera pans to him, he quickly rolls up the window. Moments later, Adhikari gets out of the car and eventually drives off in another car. Roy and driver were held hostage by the villagers for some time before being let off. The clash has been criticised, with left-wing groups especially calling it a ‘shameful reflection’ of the local political leadership.
Reacting to the controversy, Deepa Banik Adhikari said she has been falsely implicated and claimed the incident was part of a political conspiracy. Despite the uproar, both the TMC and the BJP have refrained from issuing an official statement. The Apalchand village head and district leaders of both parties are also silent.
