BJP has claimed that a woman who contested the recent panchayat polls in the state as its candidate was allegedly stripped and physically assaulted in Howrah district on July 8 when polling was held. West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Manoj Malviya said a complaint of molestation was received on July 13 and accordingly an FIR was registered, adding that no evidence has been found so far to corroborate the woman's allegations that she was stripped and paraded in the village. However, as the investigation was underway the BJP claimed that Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers were behind this incident. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has dismissed the allegations as "fake news created by the BJP".