Two factions of Trinamul clashed with iron rods and bamboo sticks in West Burdwan’s Laodoha block on Saturday night reportedly over the party’s clothes-distribution drive ahead of Durga Puja.

Police said Nazimuddin Middya, general secretary of Trinamul minority cell in Laodoha, was hit with an iron rod on his head. He is getting treated at the critical care unit of Durgapur subdivisional hospital.

Trouble started on Saturday morning when the two factions, one owing allegiance to Middya and another to block president Sujit Mukherjee, purportedly locked horns over the gifting of clothes at Lobnapara village. “Each claimed he organised the event... a scuffle ensued,” said a police officer.

Police pacified the duo. But at night, sparring factions gathered at Mukherjee’s home in Durgapur town where the quarrel snowballed into a clash. “Both sides clashed with rods and sticks. Middya was hit on his head,” said an eyewitness. Police controlled the situation.

Mukherjee on Sunday alleged some new party workers, all BJP turncoats, had created misunderstandings.

“The incident was a result of a misunderstanding between the party’s old-timers and newcomers. Some party workers recently inducted to the Trinamul from the BJP sparked the trouble, unfortunately. However, it was a minor issue and was resolved,” said Mukherjee.