Abhishek Banerjee, a senior leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), said he was attacked during a visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal.
The incident highlights the volatile political climate in the region, where accusations of post-election violence between the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continue to escalate.
Banerjee said the assault was sponsored by the BJP. Reports regarding the specific nature of the attack vary; some accounts state he was attacked with bricks [1], while others report he was beaten by locals and targeted with eggs [2]. The attack occurred in Sonarpur, located near Kolkata [1, 2].
Banerjee linked the incident to a broader pattern of instability. "It's all BJP-sponsored. Look what they have done. This is their example of democracy," Banerjee said [2]. He further noted that the police have been involved in the aftermath of these events.
Beyond the personal attack, Banerjee has raised alarms regarding property destruction in other areas. He said that BJP-backed miscreants set 10 shops ablaze in Khejuri [3]. The BJP has denied these charges [3].
The TMC leader characterized the violence as a systematic effort to destabilize the state following recent polls. He said the targeting of political figures, and local businesses, is evidence of a coordinated campaign by the opposition party to incite unrest.
“"It's all BJP-sponsored. Look what they have done."”
This incident underscores the deep-seated animosity between the TMC and the BJP in West Bengal, where political rivalry often manifests as physical violence. By linking a personal assault to the burning of local businesses, Banerjee is attempting to frame the BJP not just as a political opponent, but as a source of systemic instability and lawlessness in the state.
