Kolkata, 19 May (H.S.): A fresh political controversy has erupted in Nadia district after a BJP leader lodged a police complaint against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, accusing her of attempting to disturb communal harmony through a social media post related to the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950.

The written complaint was filed at Karimpur Police Station by BJP leader Golok Biswas, vice-president of Mandal-3 under the Karimpur Assembly constituency. The controversy began after Mahua Moitra reportedly made a Facebook post criticising recent guidelines issued under the state’s animal slaughter regulations.

In his complaint, Golok Biswas alleged that the government notification did not target any specific community or class, and claimed that the MP made “baseless and provocative remarks” that could disrupt peace and law and order in the sensitive border region.

Reacting to the issue, Karimpur BJP MLA Samarendra Nath Ghosh sharply criticised the Krishnanagar MP. He said the government guidelines nowhere mentioned shutting down cattle markets or banning trade activities. According to him, the new directives were aimed at preventing cattle smuggling along the India-Bangladesh border.

The BJP MLA further alleged that past cattle smuggling cases had links with several Trinamool leaders and claimed that Mahua Moitra’s comments indirectly encouraged smuggling networks operating in border areas. He also demanded that police investigate whether there was any attempt to support international smuggling activities through such statements.

The political dispute has become more complicated because earlier this month Mahua Moitra herself had filed a complaint against BJP leader Golok Biswas over a controversial social media post. In that post, Biswas allegedly wrote that anyone in Karimpur who rented or sold property to “Kalanagini Mahua” would be treated as an “enemy of the area”.

Following that post, the TMC MP had approached Karimpur Police Station alleging intimidation and targeted harassment.

Now, in his counter-allegation, Golok Biswas has accused Mahua Moitra of repeatedly making divisive remarks and creating tension in the locality. He also claimed that she had earlier been involved in disputes with local property owners over accommodation issues.

Although repeated attempts were reportedly made to contact Mahua Moitra for her reaction, no official response had been received till the filing of the report.

Meanwhile, sources within the local Trinamool Congress admitted that the controversy has created discomfort within the party organisation in the area. Some local party leaders, speaking anonymously, expressed concern that such politically sensitive remarks could increase tensions and expose grassroots workers to possible attacks.

Police have started an investigation into the complaints filed by both sides, while the political atmosphere in the border region of Karimpur has become increasingly tense.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh