KOLKATA — A fierce political dispute broke out in Kolkata early Saturday morning after Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee alleged that his Kalighat residence was targeted in a violent midnight assault by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters.
The confrontation reportedly escalated around 2:00 AM during birthday celebrations taking place outside the MP’s home, leading to intense physical altercations and verbal clashes between rival party workers.
Allegations of Premeditated Violence and Injuries
Addressing reporters after the incident, Banerjee stated that the late-night clash resulted in serious physical harm to several party members:
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Reports of Physical Assault: Banerjee alleged that attackers pulled down campaign banners, knocked TMC supporters to the ground, and pelted the area with stones. He noted that one supporter suffered a crushed thumb requiring specialized surgical care, while another sustained a facial bone fracture.
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Claims of Target Strategy: The Diamond Harbour MP characterized the incident as a deliberate attempt on his life, asserting that it marks the seventh targeted security breach he has faced over the past six months.
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Criticism of Authorities: In a formal statement on social media, Banerjee criticized law enforcement agencies and judicial institutions for failing to intervene or act upon previous complaints regarding security threats and unauthorized surveillance near his residence.
Opposition Dismissal and Previous Security Concerns
The West Bengal BJP leadership firmly rejected the claims, characterizing the entire sequence of events as politically motivated theater:
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BJP Rebuttal: Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh dismissed the claims of an targeted attack, stating that late-night disturbances in public streets naturally elicit local neighborhood reactions. Ghosh described the allegations as an effort to mobilize public sympathy without substantive evidence.
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Broader Surveillance Claims: The midnight clash comes on the heels of statements made by Banerjee a day earlier, in which he reported unidentified individuals conducting unauthorized surveillance around his personal office and residence, leading him to submit formal complaints to the Lok Sabha Speaker and central security authorities.
