Kolkata witnessed a dramatic turn of events on Saturday as Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee rushed to a city hospital where her nephew and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was undergoing treatment. The hospital visit came hours after Abhishek was allegedly attacked by a group of locals during a visit to Sonarpur in South 24-Parganas district.
Details of the Attack
According to police reports, Abhishek Banerjee was in Sonarpur to meet families affected by post-poll violence when a group of unidentified individuals hurled stones, shoes, and eggs at the TMC MP. Some protesters also attempted to physically assault him while shouting slogans like "thief, thief." The incident left the MP injured, prompting his immediate admission to a hospital in Kolkata for medical care.
Political Reactions
Reacting strongly to the attack, Mamata Banerjee took to social media platform X to express her anger. In a post, she wrote, "RULERS BECAME KILLERS - shame on you BJP." Her remarks came shortly after videos of the incident surfaced online, showing protesters targeting the TMC leader during his outreach programme. TMC leaders alleged that the protest was politically motivated and claimed the BJP had orchestrated the attack to disrupt Banerjee's efforts in the area.
As of now, the BJP has not issued any official response to the allegations. The incident has further escalated political tensions in West Bengal, with both parties trading accusations. The police have launched an investigation into the matter and are examining the videos to identify the perpetrators.
Background
Abhishek Banerjee, a key figure in the TMC, has been actively involved in party activities and outreach programmes across the state. The attack in Sonarpur comes amid a backdrop of heightened political rivalry between the TMC and the BJP in West Bengal, particularly following the recent assembly elections. The state has witnessed several instances of post-poll violence, with both parties accusing each other of instigating unrest.
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee's visit to the hospital underscores the personal and political stakes involved. The TMC supremo has been a vocal critic of the BJP-led central government, and this incident is likely to further strain relations between the two parties.
