The incident took place around 8 pm when Sarkar was returning home after watching a film with some party workers at Kalyani.

“We were driving down the National Highway 34. When the car crossed the AIIMS campus in Kalyani and was near Simultala, there was a deafening sound and a bright flash. Initially, I thought that the tyre had exploded. But then we realized that someone has hurled a bomb,” he added.

“We have started an investigation. It is too early to comment and share any details,” said a senior police officer.

The TMC, however, refuted the charges saying that the BJP leader was telling lies.

“The crime rate in Haringhata is almost zero. It is a peaceful area. I think the BJP MP is lying. Police investigation will reveal the truth,” said Ratna Ghosh Kar, TMC leader from Ranaghat in Nadia.

Last Sunday, a TMC councillor from Panihati Municipality in North 24 Parganas and a Congress councillor from Jhalda in Purulia district were shot dead in two separate incidents days after both won the municipal polls held on February 27.

(With inputs from agencies)