After Abhishek, Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee mobbed, injured near Kolkata

Kalyan Banerjee was injured during a clash outside Chanditala police station as TMC supporters were carrying out a protest march. The confrontation drew police and central forces, and Banerjee called it a targeted attack on a democratic protest.

In Short

• Mob raised 'chor' slogans after seeing Kalyan Banerjee
• Banerjee sustained head injury in attack, pointed finger at BJP
• He was heading to police station to protest when he was assaulted

Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and the party's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, Kalyan Banerjee, was attacked and sustained a head injury on Sunday during a clash outside the Chanditala police station in Hooghly district. The incident occurred when TMC supporters, who had gathered to submit a memorandum demanding the release of their arrested party leaders and activists, were confronted by BJP workers.

The situation rapidly deteriorated into a volatile face-off as BJP workers began chanting aggressive anti-TMC slogans, calling the protesting supporters thieves. A large contingent of local police and central security forces had to be deployed to the scene to control the escalating chaos and prevent further violence.

Following the assault, Banerjee was seen holding a wet handkerchief to his injured head. The parliamentarian strongly condemned the incident, alleging that he was intentionally targeted and assaulted while heading toward the police station to submit the official deputation. He termed the incident an unprovoked assault on individuals who were simply exercising their democratic right to protest.

"A group of 10-15 people, wearing saffron scarves, attacked me when I was heading towards the protest gathering," said Kalyan. "One of them threw a stone at me," he further added.

The incident occurred a day after the party's national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, was attacked in Sonarpur. On Saturday, Abhishek went to visit the family members of a Trinamool Congress worker, who was subjected to post-poll violence. As soon as the Diamond Harbour MP stepped out of his car, a mob consisting of men and women started raising 'chor, choir (thieves) slogan.

The mob soon turned violent as they started pelting eggs and stones. A few of them allegedly slapped and punched Abhishek. The TMC leader was escorted with the help of the security personnel.

BANERJEE PROTESTS OUTSIDE POLICE STATION

After the attack, the lawyer-politician organised a sit-in protest outside the local police station.

He raised slogans against Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and criticised the police for allegedly working at the behest of the ruling government in West Bengal.

Later, the veteran politician addressed the people of Chanditala, a place that falls under his Lok Sabha Constituency. "You saw how they (BJP) attacked other MPs and me. Do you think this is right? I am leaving the question to your conscience," an emotional Banerjee was heard saying in a video.

KALYAN IS STAGING DRAMA, BJP SAYS

Meanwhile, the ruling BJP denied all the allegations, saying that Kalyan was not injured. They said that the MP faked his injury to play the victim card and draw public support.

The party also said that Kalyan wanted to grab some limelight and hence staged the entire drama.

BJP MURDERING DEMOCRACY, MAMATA BANERJEE LASHES OUT

The Trinamool Congress Supremo launched a scathing attack on the ruling after two of her MPs were attacked.

Taking to X, Banerjee wrote, "Yesterday, BJP supporters brutally attacked and lynched Trinamool Congress's Lok Sabha Floor Leader Abhishek Banerjee. The terrifying videos are in the public domain. Today, our Chief Whip in Lok Sabha, Kalyan Banerjee, was also a victim of a planned BJP attack. BJP is murdering democracy."

The party also condemned the incident from its official X handle as well.

- Ends