Two Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament (MPs) in West Bengal were allegedly targeted in two separate incidents, weeks after the assembly election results and the formation of the new government in the state. On Saturday, TMC MP from Diamond Harbour, Abhishek Banerjee, was allegedly manhandled, beaten, pelted with stones, and thrown eggs by unidentified locals when he went to meet the victim families in South 24 Parganas’ Sonarpur.
On Sunday, another TMC MP in the Lok Sabha, Kalyan Banerjee, was allegedly targeted when he was visiting the Chanditala police station to submit a memorandum protesting the arrest of TMC workers following the assembly elections.
In both the incidents and the two leaders themselves, blamed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was behind these attacks. However, the saffron party dismissed these allegations. The BJP said that the attacks against TMC MPs were the result of public anger, though it does not support this violence.
What Exactly Happened With Abhishek Banerjee and Kalyan Banerjee?
On Saturday, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was allegedly heckled by locals during his visit to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district to meet families affected by post-poll violence.
In another case, Kalyan Banerjee said that he was targeted when he visited the Chanditala police station to submit a memorandum protesting the arrest of TMC workers following the assembly elections.
The TMC MP, in a post on X, said, “Just 15 metres away from Chanditala Police Station, while I was on my way to submit a deputation, BJP-backed miscreants launched a violent attack on me. A hard object was hurled directly at my head, causing head injuries and chest pain. The nature of the assault clearly suggests an attempt to inflict serious harm, if not take my life.”
“If an opposition Member of Parliament can be attacked in broad daylight, in full view of the police and so close to a police station, one must ask: where is the security for ordinary party workers and supporters?” he asked.
“Yesterday it was Abhishek Banerjee, today it is me. Such attacks will not intimidate us or force us into silence. Our struggle against the BJP government’s culture of political intimidation, misuse of state machinery, and the steady erosion of democratic values will continue unabated.”
Murdering Democracy, says Mamata Banerjee
Party supremo Mamata Banerjee visited the Serampore MP’s residence — Kalyan Banerjee — following the alleged incident, and accused the BJP of “murdering democracy”.
The TMC posted on X a photograph showing the party chief beside the MP, who had a bandage on his forehead.
In the post, the party said, “Those who believe that violence and intimidation can silence us have learnt nothing from history. Every attack only strengthens our determination to fight for truth and justice. The truth cannot be suppressed. Justice cannot be denied. We will not back down.”
In a separate post, Mamata Banerjee alleged that BJP supporters had attacked TMC leaders on two consecutive days.
“Yesterday, BJP supporters brutally attacked and lynched TMC Lok Sabha Floor Leader Abhishek Banerjee. The terrifying videos are in the public domain. Today, our chief whip in the Lok Sabha, Kalyan Banerjee, was also a victim of a planned BJP attack. BJP is murdering democracy,” she said.
With inputs from PTI