NEW DELHI: In a fresh incident of political violence, another Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, Soumitra Banerjee, was pelted with eggs on Tuesday while being escorted to court by police following his arrest. Video footage from the scene showed a crowd hurling eggs at Banerjee and chanting "chor, chor, chor" (thief, thief, thief) as he was being taken to a police vehicle.
Police later brought the situation under control and safely escorted Banerjee to court. The TMC youth leader was arrested following a complaint lodged by BJP leader Ravi Keshari, who accused him of attacking BJP workers.
This incident comes a day after senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh was targeted in a similar manner outside former chief minister Mamata Banerjee's residence. Ghosh was speaking to reporters when a local youth allegedly hurled an egg at him. The accused, identified as Chandan, later defended his actions, claiming he was acting out of grievances against the Trinamool Congress.
Political Turbulence Within TMC
The latest incident occurs amid continuing political turbulence within the TMC, which has been grappling with internal dissent, defections, and resignations. On Sunday, rebel MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar announced that 20 Lok Sabha MPs had merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and would support the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This development marks one of the biggest challenges to the party's unity in recent years.
Background of the Arrest
Soumitra Banerjee, a youth leader of the Trinamool Congress, was taken into custody following a complaint by BJP leader Ravi Keshari. Keshari accused Banerjee of attacking BJP workers, leading to his arrest and subsequent court appearance.
Similar Incident Involving Kunal Ghosh
The egg attack on Banerjee is the second such incident targeting TMC leaders in as many days. On Monday, Kunal Ghosh, a senior TMC leader, was egged while addressing journalists outside Mamata Banerjee's residence. The attacker, Chandan, claimed he acted due to grievances against the party.
Party Unity Under Strain
The TMC is facing significant internal challenges, with rebel MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar announcing the merger of 20 Lok Sabha MPs with the NCPI, signaling a major rift within the party. This move is seen as a substantial blow to the TMC's cohesion ahead of upcoming elections.
Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.
About the Author: TOI News Desk. The TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.
