KOLKATA: In a highly volatile post-election development in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and senior leader Abhishek Banerjee was heckled and physically assaulted by locals on Saturday evening in Sonarpur, located in the South 24 Parganas district.
The incident transpired when the TMC leader arrived to visit the families of party workers reportedly affected by violence following the party’s recent defeat in the state assembly elections.
The Assault and Immediate Medical Transit
The confrontation quickly escalated into physical hostility as crowds gathered around the TMC leader:
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The Attack: Visuals and video footage captured Abhishek Banerjee, dressed in a white shirt and a protective cricket helmet, being mobbed, grabbed at, and shouted at by an aggressive crowd chanting “chor, chor” (thief, thief). Locals reportedly heckled him, physically beat him, and hurled eggs and stones.
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Nature of Injuries: Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later stated that her nephew suffered multiple blunt injuries to his face, back, chest, neck, and rib area, resulting in “blood clots” in his chest.
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Hospital Shifts and Controversy: Banerjee was initially rushed to the emergency department of a private hospital along the EM Bypass. He was later shifted to another private medical facility in the city after Mamata Banerjee arrived and alleged that he was not receiving proper care.
Mamata Banerjee Slams Police and Medical Infrastructure
TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on both the local administration and hospital authorities, asserting that the consequences of the attack could have been fatal had someone not placed a cricket helmet on Abhishek’s head at the crucial moment.
“If there was genuinely no need for hospitalisation, why was he first taken to the ITU, kept under observation for nearly two hours, and advised to undergo multiple medical tests and scans? The most disturbing aspect of today’s developments is the allegation that pressure was exerted on doctors and hospital authorities regarding the treatment of an injured patient.”
The former Chief Minister claimed there was “pressure from above” to downplay his injuries and stall treatment, prompting the family to continue his medical care under the supervision of trusted family physicians. Furthermore, she questioned the security apparatus, noting that the police had prior information regarding the high-profile visit but failed to prevent the violence, which she alleged was engineered by brought-in outsiders.
Political Counter-Accusations: TMC vs. BJP
The assault has triggered a fierce political war of words in the state, with the TMC pointing fingers directly at the newly elected dispensation:
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TMC’s Stance: Abhishek Banerjee blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for orchestrating the incident, labeling it “BJP-sponsored” violence. He added that the police had vanished less than a month into the new government’s tenure and alleged that his political rivals “want to kill” him.
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BJP’s Response: Rejecting the allegations of state-sponsored targeting, BJP leader Keya Ghosh characterized the public anger as “karma”. Ghosh stated that the people of West Bengal had witnessed various atrocities during 15 years of Trinamool rule and were now delivering a “return gift” for past actions.
Current Status: The local law enforcement authorities have confirmed that five individuals have been arrested so far in direct connection with the assault in Sonarpur as investigations continue.
