Opposition party leaders strongly condemned the alleged attack on TMC national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee during his visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Saturday, where he went to meet families affected by the post-election violence.
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According to the TMC allegations, a group of men pushed and beat Abhishek Banerjee despite attempts by security personnel to protect him. Women in the crowd allegedly threw eggs and sandals and made threats.
As Banerjee walked down the road, wearing a helmet and his shirt torn, chants of “thief, thief” rang out.
Mamata and Karg criticize BJP
Former West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee condemned the attack on party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and blamed the BJP for the incident.
“Rulers have become murderers – shame on you, BJP,” she said in a post on X.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also condemned the incident, claiming that the lack of adequate security reflects the BJP’s approach of targeting opposition votes.
“We strongly condemn the horrific attack on MP Shri Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur, while he was on his way to meet families affected by the post-election violence in the state,” Karji said in a post on X.
“The deliberate lack of adequate police protection for a prominent opposition leader reveals a lot about the BJP’s policies of revenge and persecution,” he added.
Karg further said that the West Bengal government and the Union government must ensure the safety of opposition leaders and prevent recurrence of such incidents.
“The West Bengal government and the federal government must ensure security for all opposition leaders and take immediate steps to prevent such attacks. Political differences can never justify any kind of violence,” he said.
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Akhilesh Yadav attacks Banerjee
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also condemned the attack and alleged that the BJP government in the state is responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation.
“By organizing a deadly attack on Shri Abhishek Banerjee Ji, the main leader of the Trinamool Congress in Bengal, the chaotic BJP government in Bengal has proven that the BJP is incapable of anything but negative, violent, hate-filled politics,” Yadav said in a post on X.
He also claimed that the absence of police deployment, despite the sensitivity of the atmosphere, indicates a larger conspiracy.
“Even in such a sensitive environment, the absence of police arrangements indicates a major conspiracy. This is completely condemnable!” He added.
The BJP denies any role
Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya denied any role for his party in the incident and said the attack may have been a manifestation of public anger against the ruling Trinamool Congress.
“The BJP is not involved in such activities. What happened is unexpected in a democratic country,” Bhattacharya told reporters.
He added that he could not comment on the absence of police personnel at the scene, and described this as an administrative matter.
“I will not be able to say why the police are not there; it is a matter for the administration. I am from the party. What the TMC has done to our party workers all these years cannot be described,” he said.
Bhattacharya also referred to the previous alleged attacks on BJP leaders and workers by the TMC.
“We still remember what they did to Rupa Ganguly and our leaders in South 24 Parganas district. Today, because we are restricted, that is why the TMC is still there,” he added.
