A senior Trinamul district leader accused a party colleague victorious in the civic polls of assaulting him on Wednesday night, baring a feud within the party a few hours after it won both the municipalities of the district.

Narendranath Tiwari, the Trinamul president of Englishbazar town committee, alleged henchmen of Dulal Sarkar, a newly elected councillor of the party, organised an attack on him and his family. Tiwari also sustained serious injuries and treated at the Malda Medical College and Hospital.

Their bitterness was evident ahead of the Englishbazar civic polls. Tiwari, a former civic chairman, was dropped from the party’s list but his wife Anju got nominated. Sarkar and his wife Chaitali were both nominated.

After the nominations were filed, Tiwari alleged that Sarkar was trying to defeat Anju. In turn, Sarkar blamed Tiwari for promoting an Independent candidate who contested against him.

The bitterness reached its peak after Tiwari’s wife Anju lost and Sarkar and his wife won from their respective wards.

“Hooligans at the behest of Dulal Sarkar attacked my house and thrashed me mercilessly. I have lost three teeth. Even the town Trinamul president is not safe if elements like Dulal Sarkar are in the party. They have also beaten my family members,” Tiwari, who filed a written complaint with the police, said.

Based on the complaint, police initiated a probe. On Thursday, five persons were arrested from Sarkar's office.

His angry followers, led by his wife Chaitali, a four-time councillor of the civic body, blocked the Malda-Ratua state highway on Thursday evening.

“Tiwari and his brother have to be immediately arrested. They were conspiring against the party. They attacked members of a club last night (Wednesday) out of frustration. Local youths tried to resist the attack and also went to the police to lodge a complaint against Tiwari. Police took no action against him and instead, arrested our workers. We want justice,” said Chaitali.

The blockade was lifted after some time.

Police officers, when contacted, said investigation as on. “We are taking all steps to maintain peace,” said an officer.