New Delhi: Saturday evening's massive clash between BJP and the TMC that resulted in at least four deaths has now forced the union home ministry to take cognizance. Home Minister Amit Shah has sought a report from the Bengal authorities on the violence in Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, 65 km away from Kolkata.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya told news agency ANI, "Union Home Minister has asked for a report from the state government and I am sure Centre will take this up seriously. There is a lot of anger among the people over the incident".

The violence evidently broke out over hoisting the BJP party flag. Bullets were fired, and sharp weapons were used in this small town of Sandeshkhali.

Also read: Bengal bloodied again, 4 reportedly killed in deadly TMC-BJP clash at Sandeshkhali

In a tweet, the Bengal BJP blamed Mamata Banerjee last night, "She is getting desperate with each passing moment as she loses peoples' support. In her bid to retain power at any cost, killing opposition party members is the new normal in Bengal."

The BJP identified the deceased as Pradip Mondal, Tapan Mandal and Sukanta Mondal. Pradip was a mandal president while the other two were shakti pramukhs. A TMC cadre was also killed who was identified as Qayum Molla.

Details of murdered and missing BJP workers:



Sukanta Mandal (shot in his eyes)

Pradip Mandal (shot in his eyes)

Tapan Mandal (shot in the forehead)

Shankar Mandal (Missing)

Debdas Mandal (Missing)

Sanjoy Mandal (Missing)

Sanjay Mandal’s brother in law is also missing. pic.twitter.com/dVmR2GyD4F — BJP Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) June 8, 2019

This was the first significant clash between the two parties after the Jai Shri Ram row. The BJP got a stunning 18 seats in Bengal, a state where it was virtually non-existent even a few years ago. After the violence-ridden election, many BJP cadres were killed in the state allegedly by TMC goons. One was Chandan Shaw, who was found murdered in Bhatpara in Barrackpore constituency.

Also read: Mamata asks cops to arrest people chanting 'Jai Shri Ram'

BJP making inroads in Bengal since the panchayat election followed by the quick success in the Lok Sabha eelction has created a tense situation in the state. The TMC unwilling to let go of their domain, is making the situation worse.