Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), was allegedly attacked on Saturday during his visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal, where he had gone to meet families affected by post-poll violence.
According to police and party leaders, unidentified people allegedly hurled stones, eggs, and shoes at Banerjee while shouting slogans such as “thief” and calling him “Bangladeshi.” Videos circulating online showed the TMC MP being escorted from the area wearing a police helmet, with his shirt reportedly torn during the incident.
Banerjee Says Attack Was “Pre-Planned”
Speaking to reporters after the incident, Banerjee alleged that the attack was organised and accused political opponents of trying to harm him.
“Look what they have done to me. This was pre-planned. There is no police in the area. They want to kill me,” Banerjee said.
He claimed that people had been gathered in a nearby community hall before the incident. “We have all the video evidence. From 11 am onwards, goons were kept in that community hall to pelt stones,” he alleged.
Describing the attack, Banerjee said, “They threw a brick, threw an egg, and pelted stones. My glasses were damaged, and they hit my eye with a brick. I was wearing a helmet, otherwise my head would have been split in two.”
The TMC leader further said he would move court over the incident. “We will definitely let the High Court know about this. I will definitely move to court,” he added.
TMC Blames BJP, Opposition Leaders Condemn Attack
The TMC accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the violence and described the attack as a sign of deteriorating law and order.
In a statement on social media, the party said, “If a sitting Opposition MP can be targeted in broad daylight, what hope is there for ordinary citizens?”
Mallikarjun Kharge strongly condemned the attack, saying, “The deliberate lack of adequate police protection for a prominent Opposition leader speaks volumes about the BJP’s politics of vendetta and persecution.”
Akhilesh Yadav also criticised the BJP, alleging that the attack reflected “hate-filled, negative, violent politics.”
Police Presence Questioned
Banerjee questioned the absence of security personnel at the location despite informing authorities in advance about his visit.
“There is no police presence at the spot. They want to kill us,” he said, adding that he would not leave the area until proper protection was provided to the affected families.
Later, police and security personnel reportedly reached the area and escorted him to safety. Reports said Banerjee later received medical attention in Kolkata after sustaining injuries during the incident.
