BJP MP Khagen Murmu, who is also the party's Lok Sabha nominee for Bengal's North Malda constituency, sparked controversy following a photograph depicting him kissing a woman on the cheek during a campaign event.

The incident unfolded on Monday as the BJP contender canvassed in Srihipur village of Chanchal within his parliamentary jurisdiction. Images capturing Khagen Murmu's gesture circulated widely across social media platforms.

Trinamool Congress swiftly seized upon the opportunity to criticise the BJP, denouncing the act as evidence of the party's lack of respect for women.

The ruling party of Bengal also took to X to voice their disapproval, stating, "If you cannot believe what you just saw, let us clarify. Yes, this is BJP MP & Maldaha Uttar candidate Khagen Murmu, kissing a woman on his own accord on his campaign trail. From MPs that sexually harass women wrestlers to leaders who make obscene songs about Bengali women, the BJP camp has no dearth of anti-women politicians. This is how Modi Ka Parivar engages in Nari Ka Samman! Imagine what they would do if they came to power.”

Dulal Sarkar, vice president of Trinamool Congress in Malda district, echoed these sentiments, condemning the incident as contrary to "Bengali culture." He pondered on the BJP's mindset post-election victory, questioning the propriety of such actions while "begging for votes."

" People will decide this," Dulal Sarkar added.

Khagen Murmu, on the other hand, defended his action, asserting that the woman is akin to "his own child."

"There is nothing wrong with kissing a child. This is a complete grassroots conspiracy. They have such bad values," the BJP candidate said.

He further announced intentions to file a complaint against Trinamool Congress concerning their remarks on the kissing episode. "Parties and individuals are being defamed by distorting such pictures," Khagen Murmu remarked.

Moreover, the woman involved in the incident also came forward to defend the BJP candidate's actions, chastising those who deemed the viral pictures inappropriate. She argued that there's no harm in a man kissing a woman as he would his daughter.

"If a man kisses a woman like his own daughter, what is the problem with that? People who are making such incidents viral on social media have a dirty mentality. Khagen Murmu loves me like a daughter. My father and mother were also present when the picture was taken," the woman said.