Kolkata: A major political confrontation has erupted in West Bengal after Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee was allegedly attacked during a visit to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district. The incident has triggered sharp exchanges between the TMC and the BJP, with both parties blaming each other and offering conflicting explanations for the violence.
According to reports, Abhishek Banerjee had gone to Sonarpur to meet the family of a TMC worker who was reportedly killed during post poll violence. As he entered the Kamrabad area on Saturday evening, a large group of protesters gathered near the route of his visit. Protesters allegedly raised slogans against him, shouted “chor chor” and threw eggs, stones and other objects. Visuals from the scene showed security personnel rushing to protect the TMC leader and escorting him away from the area while wearing a helmet.
Abhishek Banerjee later alleged that the attack was a “BJP sponsored” conspiracy and claimed that the attackers intended to kill him. He said his clothes were torn, his spectacles were damaged and a brick struck near his eye during the chaos. The TMC leader also questioned the absence of adequate police deployment at the location and announced plans to approach the Calcutta High Court and the Governor over the incident.
The BJP, however, rejected the allegations and argued that the protests reflected local anger rather than an organised political attack. According to reports, several residents claimed they were frustrated over long standing civic issues, including poor roads, water supply problems and lack of development in the area despite years of political representation. Some protesters reportedly questioned why their grievances had remained unresolved for years.
The incident has quickly escalated into a statewide political issue. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee strongly condemned the attack and alleged that her nephew could have suffered far more serious injuries without the protection provided by security personnel. She also accused authorities of failing to ensure proper security arrangements during the visit.
Police have launched an investigation into the violence and multiple arrests have already been made. Reports indicate that at least four to five people have been taken into custody as investigators examine video footage and witness accounts from the scene.
The Sonarpur episode has further intensified the already bitter political rivalry between the BJP and the TMC following the Assembly elections. The controversy deepened further after TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee also alleged that he was attacked in Hooghly while participating in a protest programme a day later.
Political leaders across party lines have condemned the violence. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that political differences can never justify attacks and called for accountability, while several opposition leaders urged authorities to ensure a fair investigation.
As the investigation continues, the incident has once again brought the issue of political violence and public unrest in West Bengal to the centre of national attention. With both the TMC and BJP accusing each other of fuelling tensions, the political fallout from the Sonarpur attack is expected to remain a major issue in the coming days.