Former Chief Minister of Bengal W Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee late on Saturday night claimed that her nephew Abhishek Banerjee “would have died” in the attack he faced “if not for his helmet”.
Abhishek, a TMC MP, was assaulted by workers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party during his visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Saturday. He had gone to Sonarpur to meet the family members of a TMC worker, Sanju Karmakar, who was allegedly killed in post-poll clashes.
Abhishek was rushed to a private hospital after he complained of pain in his neck and back after the alleged attack. The hospital allocated a bed for him in the intensive treatment unit, and said that the injuries he sustained were superficial and did not require admission.
What the hospital said
“According to preliminary test reports, the injuries sustained by Banerjee are superficial in nature. He does not need to be hospitalized. However, our doctors are trying to closely evaluate the injuries, and necessary tests will be conducted. We will issue a medical bulletin for the patient, if necessary,” the agency quoted a senior hospital official as saying.
The hospital said The TMC’s national secretary-general did not have any “serious physical signs of injury.”
A purported note from a doctor at the hospital about Abhishek Banerjee’s physical condition read: “There are no serious physical signs of injury, except bruising on the chest. The patient is speaking and is fully conscious and oriented. Hence, the patient does not require any admission.”
“He could have died”
Former Prime Minister Mamata Banerjee was present at the ward alongside her nephew Abhishek, who had conflicting claims about his injuries.
“Abhishek would have died if not for his helmet. He has blood clots around his chest,” she told reporters.
Mamata also launched a scathing attack on the BJP, saying that there was an attempt to damage Abhishek’s eyes during the attack.
“Even the CPM was in power for almost 35 years. Did something like this happen then? They (BJP) have become inhuman. It is brutal. Forget killing democracy; now, people cannot even get treatment. We have just discussed this with the doctors… Our family doctor will remain there. He will receive oxygen support from the same day and all other treatments as advised by the doctors. They will take care of him. He has severe medical problems and has undergone eight surgeries. They even tried to destroy the CPM,” she told reporters. “His eyes.”
She stressed that if any medical problem arises with her nephew, the nursing home authorities and doctors taking care of him, “especially at Apollo and Belle Vue, will be responsible.”
Two hospitals and allegations of lack of treatment
The Diamond Harbor MP was initially taken to a private hospital along the EM Bypass, where he was taken to the emergency department to receive medical care.
Moments later, he was shifted to another private hospital in the city after Mamata Banerjee, who arrived at the hospital to check on his condition, claimed that “there is no treatment here”.
“We will shift him to another hospital,” Mamata told reporters.
After Abhishek was shifted from EM Bypass Hospital, Mamata Banerjee alleged that medical treatment was being obstructed under pressure from higher authorities.
She said: “There was pressure from above, and the treatment was not being provided appropriately. That’s why we decided to transfer him.”
This claim was echoed by TMC MP Derek O’Brien, who said he dreads to think what would have happened if Banerjee had not been “wearing that helmet”.
“One of many horrifying videos. Fatal attack on Abhishek Banerjee by BJP supporters while he was visiting a family who lost a loved one in the post-election violence. Police protection is non-existent. Fear to think what would have happened if he had not been wearing that helmet,” he wrote on X, along with a video.
Party spokesman Kunal Ghosh claimed that “the police and the administration are interfering” in the TMC leader’s medical evaluation at the “request of their political masters” in the state.
“We are receiving alarming reports of pressure being exerted on Bellevue Hospital as well, with alleged attempts to influence decisions regarding his admission and treatment. If these reports are true, such actions are inhumane and unacceptable. Decisions regarding treatment and discharge from the hospital should be taken by doctors only based on medical considerations,” Ghosh said.
He added: “I want to ask why any administrative authority should interfere in the treatment of an infected patient. Whether a person needs hospitalization, intensive care unit care, further observation, or discharge from the hospital is a decision that should be left entirely to doctors and hospital authorities. There is no place for political or administrative pressure in medical treatment.”
Ghosh said he had reasons to believe that administrative pressure on hospitals to expedite Abhishek’s discharge was being exercised under the guidance of the ruling political regime in the state.
TMC leader Sovan Chatterjee, who was also present at the facility, said Abhishek felt unwell after facing intense public anger in Sonarpur.
“I don’t want to make any political comments. Abhishek has suffered a minor head injury and injuries to different parts of his body. He is also complaining of nausea. The doctors will be able to give an accurate assessment once the medical examination is completed,” Chatterjee said outside the hospital near Minto Park.
Later, Abhishek Banerjee was rushed home, where Mamata alleged that the hospital management was pressured by the authorities to deny him medical treatment.
“When I was sitting with the hospital director, he was asking me because he was receiving threatening calls from the police from different quarters. At that time, he was talking to the South Capital. The BJP leaders were also allegedly threatening him that, despite the doctors’ advice to admit, they should not admit Abhishek Banerjee as that was the government’s wish. The doctors personally feel sorry and sad that they are being pressured. We sent him with saline support and after consulting with our family doctors. The family doctor will now arrange treatment at home because I don’t know what to do,” she said. It occurs in West Bengal.”
