Abhishek Banerjee attack: TMC accuses BJP of orchestrating assault
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Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday alleged that the attack on party leader Abhishek Banerjee in West Bengal's Sonarpur was a "planned and BJP-sponsored" act, rejecting claims that it was a spontaneous outburst of public anger.
The party shared photographs on its official X handle, claiming they showed the involvement of local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionaries in the incident.
"If the BJP claims this attack was merely an expression of spontaneous public anger, then why was a key BJP functionary present at the scene playing such an active, directorial role? Who authorised this mobilisation?" the TMC asked in its post.
The party also shared images alleging that a woman seen among the crowd during the incident had previously been photographed with BJP leader Locket Chatterjee.
Questioning the circumstances surrounding the incident, the TMC demanded to know who authorised the mobilisation and planned the attack.
Referring to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, the ruling party sought accountability for the attack on Banerjee.
The incident occurred on Saturday in Sonarpur town of South 24 Parganas district, where scores of people allegedly hurled stones and eggs at Banerjee and shouted abuses at him. The Diamond Harbour MP was seen wearing a cricket helmet as aides escorted him away from the crowd.
Banerjee had visited the area to meet victims of post-poll violence. Following the incident, he alleged that BJP activists were attempting to kill him.
According to reports, unidentified individuals scuffled with the TMC leader, roughed him up and raised slogans of "thief, thief". The situation quickly descended into chaos, with some members of the crowd allegedly attempting to physically assault Banerjee by raining blows and kicks on him, prompting security personnel to intervene.
The TMC further alleged that senior BJP leaders had "weaponised" the term "Bangladeshi" as a slur for years and claimed that similar remarks were directed at the sitting MP during the incident.
Questioning whether opposition MPs were being treated fairly under the BJP-led government at the Centre, the party also asked whether Om Birla would condemn the attack.
The TMC alleged that standards of public discourse had deteriorated under BJP rule and asserted that the attack on Banerjee was being closely watched across the country and internationally.
Condemning the incident, Samik Bhattacharya said such events were undesirable in a healthy democracy, while firmly denying any involvement by the BJP.
"The BJP is not involved in such activities. But what happened could be the outcome of the anger of locals who were tortured over the years," Bhattacharya said.
With PTI inputs