Kolkata: Two separate incidents in two districts of the state have brought forward the bitter infighting that plagues the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state.

A crude bomb blast at TMC leader Buro Hansda’s residence at Ilambazar in Birbhum district has left his wife Churki Hansda (37) dead, with Buro sustaining serious injuries on Sunday early morning. According to locals, at around 3.30am local time, a miscreant hurled a bomb towards Buro’s house targeting the couple who were well-known TMC activists in the area.

“We have received a complaint from Buro Hansda where he has alleged that a miscreant hurled a bomb at his residence. His wife was killed in the incident and Buro was injured. We have begun an investigation into the case and will take necessary action,” said Mukesh, Superintendent of Police, Birbhum district.

Though police are tight-lipped, locals say the death was result of infighting between sections of the party gunning for supremacy over control of the area.

“Such infighting has been common within TMC. After they won in 2011, almost everyone from the CPM joined the party leading to fractional fight which often leads to such violent conclusions,” said a villager, unwilling to be named.

The party district leadership however dismissed the claims stating this attack was due to family rivalry which had nothing to do with the party.

In another incident, in Jamuria in Asansol, sections of TMC cadres clashed in the streets hurling crude bombs at each other. Bombs were even hurled towards the police.

Locals inform that a section of TMC workers wanted to create a separate party office which was not granted by the district leadership leading to the fight. Three party cadres were injured, with one of them said to be serious.

However, TMC leadership in Kolkata brushed of the incident terming it as “minor trouble”. “These are minor issues which are unnecessarily highlighted by the media to defame the party,” said state education minister Partha Chantterjee.

Others however blame former party general secretary Mukul Roy for this mess. “He is the reason for this fractional fight. After winning the state assembly he allowed thousands of CPM workers to change sides which made our cadres, who were with us for years, feel insecure leading to such factionalism within the party,” said a TMC core commiutte member.

State police officials though are a disgruntled lot. Under TMC rule police have faced the maximum brunt of infighting within the ruling party. Few years ago, a police officer lost his life during a college election. Also incidents of TMC cadres ransacking police station has become common with the department unable to take any action due to political pressure.

“Several incidents have happened in the last four years where state police had to bear the brunt of infighting. Not only the morale of the state police is down, but also it has affected our working as most officers refuse to take action during such incidents as everyone knows that we cannot keep them behind bars,” said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity.