Supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the All India Trinamool Congress clashed in central Kolkata on Saturday morning ahead of a rally scheduled to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day.

The confrontation took place near Girish Park, roughly five kilometres from the Brigade Parade Ground where the prime minister is expected to address supporters.

Eyewitnesses reported that members from both political groups raised slogans and threw stones at each other during the confrontation. The clash created tension in the area as supporters were moving towards the rally venue.

According to BJP supporters, stones were allegedly thrown at them without provocation while they were heading towards the rally. One party activist told a Bengali news channel that the group was targeted suddenly and also faced verbal abuse.

However, local TMC workers rejected the allegations. They claimed that BJP supporters initiated the confrontation by hurling abuses and throwing stones first.

TMC supporters also alleged that stones were thrown towards the residence of local party leaders during the incident.

Police personnel were quickly deployed to the spot to control the situation and prevent further escalation. A large contingent of security forces intervened to restore order in the area.

The clash occurred about half an hour before the prime minister’s scheduled address at the Brigade Parade Ground. The rally marks the conclusion of the BJP’s statewide ‘Parivartan Yatra’ ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal.

During his visit, the prime minister is also expected to unveil and lay foundation stones for development projects valued at more than Rs 18,000 crore in the state.

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday raised questions about the development of tribal communities in West Bengal and also expressed surprise over the absence of state government representatives during her visit to north Bengal.

Speaking at the International Santhal Conference, an event organised for the tribal community, the President wondered whether Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was upset with her, as neither the chief minister nor any minister from the state cabinet was present to receive her.

Murmu also referred to the decision to shift the venue of the conference from Bidhannagar to Goshaipur. She questioned why the programme was not allowed at the earlier venue despite adequate space being available.

Addressing the gathering, the President said she did not know whether Banerjee was upset with her and remarked that she also considers herself a daughter of Bengal. She added that Banerjee was like a younger sister to her but the reason behind shifting the programme location remained unclear.

During her speech, Murmu also raised broader concerns about the condition of tribal communities in the region. She questioned whether development and facilities intended for Santhals and other tribal groups were actually reaching them.

According to the President, the Centre has worked over the past decade to strengthen tribal identity and accelerate development for tribal communities. However, she said it did not appear that the benefits were reaching people in the region.

Murmu also suggested that some individuals might have been prevented from attending the event and said it appeared that certain groups did not want the Santhal community to unite, progress, or gain access to education and strength.

The remarks triggered a political response, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticising the situation. Sharing a video of the President’s speech, he said the incident was shameful and expressed concern over what he described as an insult to the President and to Santhal culture.

The BJP also criticised the West Bengal government, alleging that the lack of preparation and protocol during the President’s visit reflected administrative failure and disrespect for constitutional offices.

Responding to the President’s remarks, Mamata Banerjee said the statements were political in nature. Speaking during a protest in Kolkata against the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls, the chief minister urged the President to avoid making remarks that could affect the dignity of the office.

Banerjee said the President had spoken about only one community and not about others in the state. She also asked her party’s MPs to seek an appointment with Rashtrapati Bhavan to present details of the state government’s work for Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste communities.

The Trinamool Congress also rejected the suggestion that there had been no development for tribal communities in the state. In a statement, the party said the President appeared to have been misinformed.

The party highlighted several welfare initiatives, including financial assistance under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. It said women from Scheduled Tribe communities now receive Rs 1,700 per month, amounting to Rs 20,400 annually.

The Trinamool Congress also referred to scholarships for tribal students, the establishment of schools and other development programmes aimed at improving conditions in tribal areas.

According to the party, these measures represent concrete initiatives designed to improve opportunities, dignity and development for Adivasi communities across West Bengal.

Bihar may soon witness a major political transition as a leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to become the state’s chief minister, following Nitish Kumar’s decision to step down and contest the Rajya Sabha elections, according to sources.

Nitish Kumar, who has served as Bihar’s chief minister for more than two decades and held the post a record ten times, filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. His move comes only four months after he was sworn in for his tenth term as chief minister.

If the reported arrangement goes ahead, it would mark the first time that the BJP occupies the chief minister’s post in Bihar, a state where leadership has largely alternated between the Janata Dal United and the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

Possible cabinet structure being discussed

Sources indicated that the proposed government structure may include one deputy chief minister. Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar is likely to be given that role, which would mark his entry into electoral politics.

The Janata Dal United is expected to receive 15 ministerial positions in the new cabinet.

Apart from the JD(U), coalition partners may also get representation. Two ministers from the Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas, and one each from the Rashtriya Lok Morcha and the Hindustani Awam Morcha are likely to be included, sources said.

The Speaker of the Bihar Assembly is expected to remain from the BJP.

Nitish Kumar has also called a meeting of all JD(U) Members of Parliament and senior party leaders to discuss the developments.

Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for March 16

Announcing his decision to contest the Rajya Sabha elections, the 75 year old leader wrote on X that he intends to continue contributing to Bihar’s development.

“I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time. I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and my resolve to work together with you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast,” he said.

He added that the new government would have his full cooperation and guidance.

Along with Nitish Kumar, several leaders also filed their nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections. These include BJP leader Nitin Nabin, Union minister Ram Nath Thakur from the JD(U), Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha, and BJP state general secretary Shivesh Kumar.

Polling for the Rajya Sabha elections will be held on March 16 to fill 37 seats across 10 states. The counting of votes is scheduled to take place the same day at 5 pm.