The BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, in a desperate attempt to stay visible and relevant ahead of a crucial state committee meeting on Thursday, staged a four-hour sit-in demonstration by Raj Bhavan on Sunday, with around 300 victims of “post-poll violence” to protest the alleged murder of democracy in Bengal by the Mamata Banerjee regime.

Calcutta High Court had permitted a four-hour, peaceful dharna with no more than 300 participants outside Raj Bhavan after police, citing prohibitory orders around the gubernatorial residence, had disallowed Adhikari from holding any demonstration.

Adhikari, however, used the court-granted opportunity to announce a series of political programmes, including observing “Murder of Democracy Day” across the state on July 21, the day Trinamul Congress will hold its marquee Martyrs’ Day’ event at Esplanade.

“When Mamata Banerjee begins her speech at 1 pm, BJP leaders and workers across the state will observe Democracy Murder Day by burning effigies of the chief minister and urban development minister Firhad Hakim, in front of all the police stations. We will raise our voice against the chief minister,” Adhikari said.

Adhikari, who was attempting to create a political narrative to regain relevance in the state following the BJP’s electoral drubbing, claimed that people were not allowed to vote in the Lok Sabha election or the recently concluded by-election in the state.

“In Raiganj, at least 50,000 people, in Ranaghat, 70,000 people, and in Bangaon, 10,000 people were not allowed to vote. In eight wards of Maniktala, votes were looted. So, on July 21 at 1pm, I will urge everyone, regardless of party affiliation, to take to the streets to observe Democracy Murder Day,” the Nandigram MLA, who threatened to go for a larger movement, said.

Sources in the saffron camp said Adhikari too has been on a sticky wicket after the embarrassing electoral performance.

“Suvendu has been successful in wresting two seats — Contai and Tamluk — in his backyard, but that is not enough. He might face the heat in the state committee meeting. Naturally, he is trying to protect his own image,” a senior state BJP leader said.

Adhikari met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other seniors in the BJP in New Delhi this week.