Trinamool Congress (TMC) president Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the BJP government in West Bengal of pressuring hospitals and doctors treating party MP Abhishek Banerjee after he was attacked in South 24 Parganas, alleging that attempts were made to prevent his entry and influence medical decisions.
Referring to Abhishek’s treatment following the attack, Mamata questioned why he was kept under observation initially if hospitalization was unnecessary.
“If there was really no need for hospitalization, why was he first transferred to the ITU, kept under observation for almost two hours, and advised to undergo multiple medical tests and examinations?” she asked, PTI reported.
“The threat of not being recognized,” says Mamata.
Banerjee claimed that efforts were being made to prevent Abhishek from receiving medical treatment after the attack.
She alleged that hospitals and higher authorities were under pressure not to admit him, saying, “Those in power (BJP) are threatening all hospitals and higher authorities not to admit Abhishek Banerjee as they do not want him to be treated,” news agency ANI reported.
Banerjee also claimed that the hospital director told her that he was receiving “threatening calls from the police.”
She added: “The most disturbing aspect of today’s developments is the allegation that pressure was placed on doctors and hospital authorities regarding the treatment of an infected patient,” stressing that decisions regarding admission, discharge and treatment should rest solely with medical professionals, the agency’s report added.
According to Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek remained under medical supervision from around 8.15 pm to around 11 pm before he was discharged from the hospital.
Mamata shares details of injuries
“Doctors who examined him noticed multiple injuries and advised urgent medical investigations. According to the medical assessment, he suffered several severe injuries to the face, back, chest and neck,” the former West Bengal chief minister said while giving details of the injury.
She added that doctors advised X-rays and scans to rule out fractures, internal bleeding and other complications, including possible injury to internal organs.
According to her, Abhishek sustained injuries to his chest and rib area due to stone pelting and physical assault. She added that a detailed medical evaluation was especially important because he had a pre-existing eye-related medical condition.
The TMC chief said that the party decided to continue his treatment under the supervision of trusted doctors and family doctors.
Banerjee also claimed that the attack could have had more serious consequences if a helmet had not been placed on his head.
Assault
The incident took place when Abhishek Banerjee visited the area to meet party workers and their families who were reported to have faced violence after the TMC’s defeat in the recent state elections.
As he moved through a crowd wearing a cricket helmet, he was allegedly manhandled by a mob who pelted him with stones and eggs. Videos of the incident circulated on social media showed the MP and his security personnel struggling as the attackers pushed, punched and slapped him.
Earlier in the day, Abhishek Banerjee alleged that BJP workers attacked his convoy and termed the incident an attempt on his life. He also pledged to pursue legal procedures before the Supreme Court.
But the BJP denied the allegations and rejected the TMC’s claims about its involvement in the attack.
Mamata Banerjee said leaders across party lines have reached out to express their concern over the incident, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal.
