Eggs, stones thrown at Abhishek Banerjee, TMC MP hospitalised after attack

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee was allegedly attacked during a visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal on Saturday, with eggs and stones thrown at his convoy as BJP workers raised "chor chor" slogans. Banerjee was visiting families affected by post-poll violence.

In Short

• TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee attacked during Sonarpur visit
• Banerjee alleged BJP sponsorship of attack and police inaction
• Police security escorted him; he wore helmet to avoid injury

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee was attacked during his visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal on Saturday, where he had gone to meet the families of post-poll violence victims.

Eggs and stones were thrown at Banerjee during the visit, while BJP workers allegedly raised "chor chor" slogans against him. Security personnel escorted the TMC leader wearing a helmet amid the attack.

Following the incident, Abhishek Banerjee was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Kolkata for treatment. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later reached the hospital to meet him while he was undergoing treatment.

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reacted strongly to the incident. In a post on X, she wrote, "Rulers became killers – shame on you BJP."

The TMC alleged that Banerjee was attacked and assaulted by BJP workers during his visit. Visuals from the scene showed security personnel surrounding and escorting him as tensions escalated in the area.

Describing the attack, Banerjee said, "They threw a brick, threw an egg, and pelted stones. Please tell me what this is. And all the people standing nearby, the people of the area, they are still meeting us and still greeting us with love and respect. Go and ask those who are doing hooliganism here. We have all the video evidence. There's a community hall nearby. From 11 am onwards, goons were kept in that community hall to pelt stones."

Speaking to media persons after the incident, Banerjee alleged that the attack was sponsored by the BJP. "It's all BJP-sponsored. Look what they have done. This is their example of democracy. It hasn't even been a month, and the police are nowhere to be seen," he said.

Banerjee further claimed that the attackers intended to kill him and said the entire incident had been captured on camera. "They wanted to kill me. The whole incident has been captured on camera. We will definitely let the High Court know about this. We will also let the Governor know about this. I will definitely move to court," he said.

Claiming that he narrowly escaped serious injury, Banerjee said, "My head was somehow spared; fortunately, I was wearing a helmet. They have torn my clothes and broken my spectacles."

The TMC MP also alleged an absence of police personnel at the spot. "There is no police presence at the spot. They want to kill us. Let them do so. My dead body may be recovered from here, but I am not leaving the area," he said.

Banerjee said he would not leave until adequate security arrangements were made. "I will not move out from here till police and forces ensure security here. They are trying to break the house, and they want to kill me," he said.

Police personnel and central forces later reached the spot and rescued Banerjee amid the tense situation.

Referring to the family he had come to meet, Banerjee added, "I will not abandon Sanju's elderly parents in this condition until additional forces arrive. I will once again ask our representatives to contact the police."

Claiming that his party had informed the authorities about the visit in advance, Banerjee said, "We had mailed police and intimated them about our visit. We called the police, but police did not pick up the call."

Reacting to the incident, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien alleged that Banerjee's life was at risk and questioned the security arrangements.

In a post on X, O'Brien said, "The Lok Sabha Leader of the second-largest Opposition party, All India Trinamool Congress, went to visit the family of a person murdered by BJP in post-poll violence. Abhishek Banerjee was lynched and attacked by a few BJP supporters. Life at risk. Where are the police? Why was security withdrawn on the day of counting? Let the Home Minister answer."

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also condemned the attack on Banerjee. In a post on X, Kharge said, "Strongly condemn the shocking attack on MP Shri Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur, as he went to meet the families affected by post-poll violence in the state." He alleged that the "deliberate lack of adequate police protection for a prominent Opposition leader speaks volumes about the BJP's politics of vendetta and persecution."

- Ends