Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee faced a violent protest during his visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal on Saturday, triggering a fresh political storm in the state. The incident took place when Banerjee visited the families of two slain TMC workers in South 24 Parganas.
Videos from the scene, now widely circulating on social media, showed stones, eggs and shoes being thrown at the TMC leader as security personnel rushed him away from the crowd. In some clips, Banerjee could be seen wearing a police helmet while being escorted out, with his shirt appearing torn during the chaos.
What Happened In Sonarpur?
According to reports, Abhishek Banerjee had travelled to Sonarpur South to meet the families of Sanju Karmakar and Biswajit Pattanayak, both associated with the TMC and reportedly killed in post-poll violence.
During the visit, a group allegedly started shouting slogans and throwing objects at Banerjee’s convoy. Witnesses claimed the situation quickly turned aggressive, forcing his security personnel to intervene and move him to safety.
“They Wanted To Kill Me”: Abhishek Banerjee
Soon after the incident, Banerjee addressed the media and accused the BJP of orchestrating the attack.
“It’s all BJP-sponsored. They wanted to kill me,” he said while speaking to reporters. He also questioned the absence of police personnel at the location despite the sensitivity of the visit.
Banerjee stated that the matter would be taken to both the High Court and the Governor.
Mamata Banerjee Condemns The Attack
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee strongly reacted to the incident and condemned the attack in sharp words. In her statement, she alleged that the political atmosphere in the state was becoming increasingly violent.
The Trinamool Congress also issued an official statement claiming that despite the attack, Abhishek Banerjee continued his visit to stand beside the grieving families.
TMC Raises Questions Over Security
TMC leaders questioned why there was allegedly no adequate police deployment at the spot. Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh described the incident as a “planned attack” and claimed Banerjee was repeatedly targeted with stones and eggs.
He also alleged that hospitals faced pressure while treating the injured MP after the incident, though no official confirmation regarding those claims has emerged.
According to TMC leaders, Banerjee was initially taken for medical attention after suffering injuries during the protest.
BJP Yet To Respond
As political reactions continue to intensify, the BJP has not yet released an official statement regarding the allegations made by the TMC leadership.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing political tensions in West Bengal following the recent election cycle, with both sides accusing each other of encouraging political violence.