A day after Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was allegedly attacked in South 24 Parganas, another party MP, Kalyan Banerjee, sustained injuries during a protest in West Bengal’s Hooghly district on Sunday.
The Sreerampur MP was reportedly injured near Chanditala Police Station while on his way to submit a memorandum regarding alleged post-poll violence and arrests of TMC workers. Videos from the scene showed a chaotic situation as police and supporters tried to control a crowd protesting against him.
Kalyan Banerjee was seen holding his head and collapsing after an object allegedly struck him from behind. He later appeared with a white cloth tied around his head while addressing supporters.
Black Flags, Slogans, and Chaos in Chanditala
According to reports, protesters gathered near the police station waving black flags and shouting slogans such as “chor chor” (thief). Similar slogans were raised during the alleged attack on Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur a day earlier.
Visuals from Chanditala showed tensions escalating as security personnel rushed to shield the MP and clear the crowd. Police later brought the situation under control.
Kalyan Banerjee alleged that either a stone or a cricket ball was thrown at his head and described the incident as a planned attack.
“Suddenly, 10 to 15 goons shouted slogans and created a hostile atmosphere. They abused me, but I continued walking. Then a stone was thrown at my head,” Banerjee told reporters.
“There was blood on my kurta and pajama. I fell on the road, and a CRPF personnel rescued me,” he added.
TMC Blames BJP, Opposition Rejects Allegations
The TMC accused BJP supporters of orchestrating the attack and alleged that police failed to stop the violence despite being present at the scene.
Banerjee criticised the West Bengal Police, calling them “silent, mute spectators” during the incident. He also thanked central security personnel for intervening.
Claiming there was “complete lawlessness” in the state, the TMC MP said opposition leaders were being deliberately targeted.
Following the clash, Banerjee staged a protest outside Chanditala Police Station and demanded action against those responsible.
However, the BJP denied involvement and claimed local anger against TMC leaders was behind the protests. The party alleged that public frustration had grown over recent political developments in the state.
Second Incident in Two Days
The incident came just a day after Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was allegedly assaulted in Sonarpur while meeting families affected by post-poll violence.
Abhishek Banerjee was reportedly heckled, pushed, and pelted with eggs and stones by protesters raising anti-TMC slogans. Security personnel later escorted him to safety wearing a helmet. He was taken to a private hospital in Kolkata, where doctors said he suffered minor injuries.
Reacting to the back-to-back incidents, political leaders traded accusations, with TMC blaming the BJP for encouraging violence and the BJP calling it a sign of growing public anger against the ruling party.
Police are expected to examine video footage and eyewitness accounts to identify those involved in the Chanditala incident.
