Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee was allegedly assaulted and manhandled on Saturday during his visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, where he had gone to meet families affected by post-poll violence.
Banerjee, who represents the Diamond Harbour constituency in Parliament and serves as the party's national general secretary, faced a hostile crowd during his visit. According to reports, stones and eggs were hurled at the TMC leader, while some individuals allegedly attempted to slap and kick him amid the chaos. Viral videos circulating on social media appeared to show angry protesters confronting Banerjee, with several women seen shouting slogans and calling him a "thief" before throwing eggs in his direction.
The incident created a tense atmosphere in the area and raised concerns over the deteriorating political situation in the state following the recent Assembly elections. Banerjee, widely regarded as the second most influential leader in the Trinamool Congress after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was eventually escorted away from the scene by security personnel. Visuals from the aftermath showed him wearing a police helmet, with his shirt reportedly torn during the altercation.
Reacting strongly to the incident, Banerjee accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the attack. Speaking to reporters, he alleged that the assault was pre-planned and claimed that police personnel were conspicuously absent when the violence occurred.
"It is all BJP-sponsored. Look what they have done. This is their example of democracy. It hasn't even been a month, and the police are nowhere to be seen," Banerjee said.
He further asserted that the entire episode had been captured on camera and warned those involved against seeking legal protection. Banerjee also announced that the Trinamool Congress would bring the matter to the attention of Governor RN Ravi.
"Look what they have done to me. This was pre-planned. There is no police in the area. They want to kill me. I will not leave this place till the local police send their force and offer protection to the victims' families," he said.
Despite the attack, Banerjee continued with his scheduled programme and later met the family of a deceased victim of post-poll violence. Party leaders praised his decision to carry on with the visit despite the security concerns.
The incident occurred on a politically significant day for the TMC leader. Earlier on Saturday, Banerjee was served a notice by the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID), directing him to appear before investigators in connection with allegations involving forged signatures of party legislators.
The case relates to a communication submitted to the Assembly Secretariat endorsing veteran TMC leader Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of the Opposition. Investigators are probing allegations that signatures of several party MLAs may have been forged in the document. The notice was personally delivered to Banerjee at his residence on Kalighat Road in Kolkata.
The attack on Banerjee is expected to further intensify the political confrontation between the TMC and the BJP in West Bengal, where allegations of post-poll violence and political intimidation continue to dominate the state's political discourse. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the assault, while political leaders from both sides are likely to exchange sharp accusations over the incident in the coming days.
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