Trinamul leaders in Cooch Behar on Monday tried to turn the tables on the BJP, claiming Union minister of state Nisith Pramanik had orchestrated the attack on his convoy on Saturday.

The allegation assumes significance as it comes within 24 hours of governor C.V. Ananda Bose issuing a stern statement condemning the attack. While Pramanik’s convoy was moving through Burirhat, a locality in Dinhata sub-division of the district, on Saturday, there was a clash between BJP and Trinamul supporters.

Pramanik alleged Trinamul supporters attacked his convoy by pelting stones, hurling bombs and firing at his car. BJP supporters reacted, and soon, a clash ensued, the minister said, decrying the law and order in Bengal and demanding a forensic probe of his car.

Trinamul on Monday came up with a detailed rebuttal of this narrative and said they had proof that the minister orchestrated the incident as part of a larger political gameplan. “We have videos with us where an armed goon is seen moving with the minister’s security personnel. He had his face covered. It is surprising that the central forces didn’t detain him. This entire attack narrative is orchestrated by the so-called victim,” said NB development minister Udayan Guha.

Guha’s version seems to have found resonance in police action as all 21 arrested in connection with the incident are from the saffron camp. The police have filed a case against 48 persons, including some district BJP leaders.

“We seized three firearms along with live cartridges from three persons from the spot who were in two cars. Sharp weapons, arrows, sticks and sickles were seized, along with the cars and a motorcycle,” said a police officer. Multiple sources in Dinhatasaid the Trinamul narrative could not be wished away afterTrinamul decided to target Pramanik with multiple protests.

Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamul’s all-India general secretary, accused the junior home minister of silence when BSF committed “atrocities” in border villages. Trinamul leaders and supporters demonstrated near Pramanik’s house on February 19, which drew a good response.

A senior district BJP leader said as the next Lok Sabha polls would be held in 2024, Pramanik could not afford such protests in his constituency. “He badly needs sympathy and I will not be surprised if it is proven that he orchestrated the entire incident,” said a source in the BJP camp.

Political observers attribute another possible reason. “Being the local (CoochBehar) MP, he intends to exert his influence in selecting BJP candidates for rural polls. During the 2018 panchayat polls, we saw him adopt a similar strategy when he went against his own party (Trinamul then) and fielded his candidates for his support base,” said a political veteran in Cooch Behar.

Abdul Sattar, a Trinamulleader of Dinhata, said: “We want a CBI probe into Saturday’s incident.” The BJP brushed aside the charges. “The police are acting at Trinamul’s behest. The minister’s convoy was attacked...and the police are arresting our supporters,” said Sukumar Roy, the Cooch Behar district BJP president.

The BJP also approached the judiciary. On Monday, Calcutta High Court granted it permission to file a petition on the incident.