A factional clash within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) erupted in the Debra block of West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district on Tuesday, leaving Debra MLA Shubhasish Om injured following a dispute over community event management, news agency ANI reported.

Source: ANI via Daily Prabhat

According to the ANI report, the incident occurred in the Bali Chowk area during a party meeting over the distribution of forms. Party sources told the agency that tensions flared into physical violence after disagreements arose over the control of an upcoming local fair (mela).

Somen Mishra, a district executive member of the BJP's Ghatal organisational district, told ANI the MLA had been admitted to hospital and was under medical observation. "He was attacked at Bali Chowk, where a meeting was taking place. Some individuals attacked him during the meeting. He has been admitted to the hospital; his condition is currently stable, but he remains under medical observation," Mishra said, describing the episode as deeply regrettable.

Extortion allegation behind the clash, says party leader

Mishra alleged that the trouble stemmed from the fair being organised in the area. He alleged that certain individuals had devised a scheme to exploit the event for financial gain, essentially to extort money, and were attempting to seize control of the fair. The MLA, he said, wanted the entire community of Bali Chowk to be involved in organising the fair, and was speaking out against the alleged plan when he was attacked. These are allegations made by a party office-bearer and have not been independently established.