Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday thanked Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for extending support after the attack on him in Sonarpur in West Bengal, which Gandhi described as “completely reprehensible”.
On Saturday, Banerjee sustained minor injuries after stones and eggs were pelted at him in Sonarpur during a visit to meet families affected by the alleged post-election violence. Videos from the scene showed a group of people treating the TMC leader amid loud cheers.
Banerjee thanks Rahul Gandhi
Banerjee described the incident as “political violence and state-sponsored terrorism” and expressed his gratitude to Rahul Gandhi for standing by him.
“Thank you Rahul ji for your continued concern and support. We stand united and resolute in our fight to protect the soul of India, defend its democratic institutions, and uphold the values enshrined in our Constitution,” Abhishek wrote on X.
Recalling his role in the Centre’s diplomatic outreach after Operation Sindoor last year, he said: “Last year, I traveled across five countries representing India as part of the all-party delegation in Operation Sindoor. I stood for my country and stood united against terrorism. Today, I stand a victim of political violence and state-sponsored terrorism unleashed by those who claim to be the guardians of nationalism. This is the reality of the BJP today.”
He also accused the ruling party of targeting those who challenge it politically.
He said: “If you support them, you are a patriot. If you doubt them, you become a target. If you stand with them, you are celebrated. If you stand against them, they try to silence you.”
“I would rather face intimidation while defending democracy than enjoy comfort by compromising on my principles. Power is temporary. The will of the people is permanent. I will only bow before the people, and never before the people in power,” Banerjee added.
“We will continue our fight against those who seek to weaken democracy and divide our nation. India stands united, and together, we will ensure that the politics of fear, hate, violence and intimidation are defeated, and that the voice of the people prevails,” he added.
His remarks came after Rahul Gandhi condemned the attack and called it a “disgusting manifestation” of the BJP’s politics of vendetta.
In a Hindi post on X, Gandhi said the attack on Banerjee was strongly condemnable.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said, “An attack on a Member of Parliament is not just an attack on an individual. It is an attack on the people who elected him and on the democracy that constitutes our common heritage.”
Mamata Banerjee says Rahul called her
Former Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee reacted strongly to the incident, blaming the BJP for the alleged attack and saying that several opposition leaders had approached her.
“Rahul Gandhi called me and told me if anything was needed, I could tell him and he could take Abhishek Banerjee to Hyderabad or anywhere else for treatment,” she told reporters.
Her comments came after she raised concerns about allegations of pressure on doctors and hospital authorities regarding decisions regarding treatment.
With input from agencies
