Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee on Sunday accused Bharatiya Janata Party workers of carrying out a violent attack on him during a political protest in West Bengal’s Hooghly district. The Serampore MP alleged that stones were thrown at him and claimed the incident was part of a conspiracy to kill him.
The incident took place near Chanditala Police Station, where TMC leaders and workers had gathered to submit a memorandum protesting the arrest of party supporters and alleged post poll violence cases in the region. According to Banerjee, BJP supporters assembled near the protest site and raised slogans against him before the situation turned violent.
Speaking to the media after the incident, Banerjee alleged that BJP workers abused him, waved black flags and hurled objects at him. He claimed that one of the projectiles struck his head, causing injuries and bleeding. The TMC leader said the attack was not an expression of public anger but a planned assault allegedly carried out by BJP supporters.
Visuals from the spot showed Banerjee being assisted by party workers after sustaining injuries. Security personnel, including Central Reserve Police Force personnel, were present in the area as tensions escalated between workers of the two rival political parties.
The latest confrontation comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal following the Assembly elections. Just a day earlier, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had also alleged that he was attacked during a visit to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district while meeting families reportedly affected by post poll violence. He had accused BJP backed elements of throwing stones, eggs and bricks at his convoy.
The BJP has rejected allegations of involvement in recent attacks on TMC leaders and has accused the ruling party of attempting to divert attention from growing public dissatisfaction. BJP leaders have maintained that the incidents reflect anger among local residents and not any organised political conspiracy.
The repeated clashes between political workers have once again raised concerns over law and order in parts of West Bengal. Both the TMC and BJP have traded accusations over violence in the state, while opposition parties and civil society groups have called for impartial investigations into all such incidents.
With political tensions continuing to simmer after the elections, the latest episode is expected to further intensify the confrontation between the two parties in the coming days.