Our Correspondents / Kolkata / New Delhi
Opposition leaders from across India strongly condemned the attack on Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee in West Bengal’s Sonarpur on Saturday, accusing the BJP-led administration of failing to provide security and attempting to intimidate political opponents.
The sharp reactions came after Banerjee faced a hostile crowd while visiting the family of a victim of alleged post-poll violence in Rajpur-Sonarpur. Stones, eggs and shoes were hurled at the TMC leader, while protesters shouted “chor, chor” (thief) slogans and attempted to physically assault him. The incident marked one of the most dramatic public confrontations faced by a senior TMC leader since the recent change in political power in the state.
Banerjee had travelled to Vivekanandanagar in Ward No. 9 of Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality to meet the family of Sanju Karmakar, who was reportedly killed in post-poll violence. As soon as he arrived, a crowd gathered, chanting slogans against him. His vehicle and later a motorcycle he used to move through the area also came under attack.
Forced to walk to the victim’s residence wearing a police helmet and surrounded by security personnel, Banerjee entered the house with his shirt torn amid escalating tensions. He remained inside for nearly 90 minutes as police and central security forces worked to bring the situation under control.
“They want to kill me,” Banerjee told reporters, alleging that local authorities failed to respond despite repeated requests for assistance. He claimed that no senior administrative officials were present at the site and said he would raise the matter with both the Governor and the judiciary.
Several local residents confronted the TMC leader over issues ranging from alleged political violence to inadequate civic amenities. Some women accused local TMC functionaries of failing to protect residents and forcing families to leave their homes due to threats.
While West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya condemned the violence and called for police action, he denied any involvement by his party. He said the BJP does not support such methods and argued that the public anger reflected growing frustration with what he described as years of political violence in the state.
The incident triggered a wave of support for Banerjee from Opposition parties nationwide. Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, criticized what he termed the “deliberate lack of adequate police protection” for a prominent Opposition leader, calling it evidence of political vendetta.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav described the absence of security arrangements as indicative of a “major conspiracy,” while Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of attempting to silence strong Opposition voices through intimidation and violence.
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav questioned whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi would condemn the attack with the same seriousness with which he had denounced political violence abroad. Leaders from the Congress, AAP, Samajwadi Party, RJD and Shiv Sena (UBT) issued statements condemning the incident.
TMC leaders also blamed the BJP government for the security lapse. Party Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien alleged that Banerjee’s life had been put at risk and questioned why adequate protection was not available during the visit.
Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a strong attack on the ruling BJP, posting on social media that “rulers became killers” and holding the government responsible for the deteriorating law-and-order situation.
After being evacuated from the area by central forces and local police, Banerjee underwent medical examination at a Kolkata hospital. Doctors reported bruising on his chest but found no serious injuries, and he was discharged after receiving primary treatment.
The Sonarpur incident has intensified political tensions in West Bengal, with the Opposition portraying it as an assault on democratic dissent, while the BJP maintains that the anger displayed by residents reflects widespread public dissatisfaction with the TMC’s record in the state.