TMC, BJP workers clash in Kolkata ahead of PM rally; stones thrown at minister Shashi Panja's house

KOLKATA: (Mar 14) Clashes broke out between TMC and BJP supporters in central Kolkata on Saturday, barely half an hour before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at the Brigade Parade Ground, leaving a police officer and a leader of the saffron party injured, officials said.

Allegations also surfaced that stones were thrown at the residence of West Bengal minister Shashi Panja in the Girish Park area.

The violence took place around 5 km from the rally venue as BJP supporters were marching towards the Brigade Parade Ground to attend the prime minister’s meeting, which marks the culmination of the party’s statewide ‘Parivartan Yatra’ ahead of the Assembly elections.