Why TMC MLA lashed out at own party leaders over assault on Abhishek Banerjee

TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh has questioned the silence of several Trinamool Congress leaders after the alleged attack on Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur. His remarks have sharpened the political clash over the incident and the response of the police and hospitals.

In Short

• Ghosh said leaders from rival parties condemned the Sonarpur incident publicly
• He questioned why party MPs, MLAs and office-bearers stayed absent online
• Banerjee had visited families affected by post-poll violence in South 24 Parganas

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh has publicly criticised a section of his own party's MPs, MLAs and office-bearers for their silence following the alleged attack on TMC National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee during his visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district.

In a strongly worded social media post, Ghosh questioned why many leaders within the party had failed to condemn the incident or express solidarity with Banerjee. He noted that while leaders from other political parties had publicly denounced the attack, many elected representatives and office-bearers from the Trinamool Congress appeared absent from the conversation.

"I saw posts from national-level leaders of other parties protesting the attack on Abhishek. But posts from many MPs, MLAs, councillors, office-bearers and former government office-bearers of our own party did not catch my eye," Ghosh wrote. He further suggested that some individuals who had benefited from the party's platform were now conspicuously silent when support was needed.

'THE ATTACK ON ABHISHEK BANERJEE IS A CONSPIRACY'

The remarks come a day after Banerjee was allegedly attacked and heckled during his visit to Sonarpur, where he had gone to meet families affected by post-poll violence. The incident triggered sharp political reactions, with the Trinamool Congress accusing its rivals of orchestrating a pre-planned attack.

Speaking to reporters, Ghosh described the incident as a conspiracy and questioned the role of the local administration and police. He said Banerjee, who had recently represented India as part of a parliamentary outreach effort abroad, was targeted despite being a prominent national political figure.

"He is severely injured due to the attack. We took him to a hospital first. There are allegations that police administration pressurized them to show this attack in a light manner. The country is condemning it," said Ghosh to ANI.

Ghosh also alleged that police pressured hospital authorities to downplay the seriousness of Banerjee's injuries after he was taken for medical examination. According to him, Banerjee was initially taken to an intensive care unit before the hospital allegedly came under pressure from authorities.

Bellevue Hospital later stated that Banerjee had suffered no serious injuries apart from bruising on his chest and did not require admission. The hospital said he was conscious, oriented and medically stable.

Meanwhile, TMC chairperson and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee also alleged that hospitals were being pressured not to admit Banerjee for treatment. The BJP has not officially responded to the allegations.

The controversy has further intensified the political war of words in West Bengal following the recent Assembly election results.

- Ends