A row has erupted in West Bengal after former chief minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee was seen slapping a party worker. The incident, which took place on Wednesday during a protest against the rape and murder case in Baruipur, has since gone viral on social media and raised many questions.
Several BJP leaders criticized Banerjee’s actions and accused the senior leader of mistreatment.
“Mamata Banerjee slaps one of her party members. This shows her frustration and anger, as she is unable to control the situation. Over the past 15 years, many of our workers have lost their lives or were forced to leave their homes after the 2021 election results,” BJP leader Kia Ghosh said.
Moreover, Raju Bista, another BJP MP, stated that Banerjee “lost her temper” and slapped a Trinamool Congress worker.
The video, which was shared on Wednesday, was shared by BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari.
“Mamata Banerjee has completely lost her mental balance after losing the elections! Mamata Banerjee beat up several people belonging to her party during a protest march today,” Bhandari wrote on X.
Read also | Mamata Banerjee slap on Baruipur protest caught on camera; Video shared by BJP
TMC denies the allegation and supports Mamata
The Trinamool Congress denied the incident and stated that the allegations made by the BJP were “baseless”.
“There was a huge crowd. She was just trying to control the situation. She did not slap anyone. These allegations are baseless,” a senior TMC leader told PTI.
Speaking to news agency ANI, TMC MP Sujata Roy defended the former chief minister and stated that Banerjee is “very close to party workers”.
“Mamata Banerjee is very close to her party workers. She shows them affection, and that too… Mamata Banerjee can do whatever she wants with her workers,” he told the news agency.
Moreover, the Trinamool Congress also accused the police of inaction, adding that around 41 party workers were assaulted and women party workers were harassed and molested.
“In a horrific display of mob violence and hate-driven politics, 41 of our workers were brutally assaulted, leaving several seriously injured. Female workers were also harassed during the attack!” Party wrote on X.
Read also | “He got what he deserved”: Baruipur’s mother, accused of rape and murder, refuses to “see his face” after her son was killed in a “confrontation”
The TMC added that the police did not provide timely assistance despite the extent of violence on the ground.
“Our injured workers had to be shifted to SSKM Hospital with little or no support, while those charged with maintaining law and order stood as silent spectators to the atrocities committed on the opposition,” the party added.
