A BJP leader, Manabesh Das, 48, who was a booth committee president in Gangarampur of South Dinajpur, died in hospital on Thursday, two days after he was allegedly attacked by a new BJP worker and his aides.

Pinaki Pramanik, who recently joined the BJP from Trinamul, has been absconding since April 27, when he allegedly attacked Das over a “trifle”.

The president of BJP’s booth 60 under ward 11 of Gangarampur town, had got involved in an altercation with Pinaki.

In the ensuing clash, Pramanik and his aides allegedly attacked Das and beat up Tarak Das, another local BJP leader. Both suffered serious injuries and Das was shifted to the NBMCH where he died on Thursday morning. Tarak is admitted to the Gangarampur subdivisional hospital.

Police said Pinaki has absconded.

“Both (Manabesh Das and Tarak Das) were attacked at a food stall. We have urged the police to take legal steps against the attackers. No matter who from which party is involved, he should face legal consequences,” said Bapi Sarkar, a BJP district general secretary in South Dinajpur.

In another incident, the home of Meghnad Debnath, a BJP leader who worked as a polling agent in the elections, was torched on Wednesday around 11.45pm. Debnath, who lived in Keshrail village under Harirampur Assembly seat of South Dinajpur district, had to flee with his family.

On Thursday, Sukanta Majumdar, the BJP MP of Balurghat, who visited the spot, accused Trinamul. “Trinamul leaders have realised that they will lose in South Dinajpur, that’s why they are attacking our party colleagues who toiled hard....” he said.

Subhash Chaki, a district coordinator of Trinamul, denied the charges. Police have started a probe.

In neighbouring North Dinajpur, three Trinamul supporters were injured by pellets. Sources said for the past few days, two groups of Trinamul supporters in the Bhadrakali of Islampur subdivision were having disputes over the possession of a tea plantation. On Thursday, they got into an altercation that soon led to a clash. Pellets were shot from one group, injuring the trio who are now admitted to the Islampur subdivisional hospital. Police have started a probe.