Congress leader Shashi Tharoor condemned an assault on Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee in West Bengal, describing the incident as disturbing [1].

The condemnation highlights the fragile security environment for political figures in the region and underscores the need for inter-party cooperation to maintain civil order.

Tharoor said the incident was an act of violence rather than a political disagreement [1]. He urged authorities to take swift action to address the assault and ensure accountability for those involved [1].

In his statement, Tharoor emphasized that political disputes should be settled through democratic processes [1]. He said that political actors should use ballot boxes instead of stone-throwing to resolve their differences [1].

The call for non-violence comes as a reminder of the volatility often associated with regional politics in West Bengal [1]. Tharoor said that the use of force to silence or attack political opponents undermines the democratic fabric of the country [1].

By framing the attack as a criminal act of violence and not a political maneuver, Tharoor sought to distance the democratic process from physical aggression [1]. He called for a return to a political culture where arguments are won through persuasion, and voting, rather than through physical intimidation [1].

“Violence is not politics.”

This condemnation reflects a strategic effort by the Congress party to align with the Trinamool Congress against political violence. By emphasizing the 'ballot box' over 'stones,' Tharoor is attempting to reinforce the legitimacy of institutional democracy over street-level conflict, which is a recurring point of tension in West Bengal's political landscape.