Abhishek Banerjee attacked in Bengal: Eggs thrown, shirt torn, ‘Chor-Chor’ slogans raised
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee was attacked with eggs and stones in Sonarpur, West Bengal, while visiting post-poll violence victims' families; BJP blamed for the attack
PTC Web Desk: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee was attacked on Saturday when he visited Sonarpur in West Bengal to meet families of post-poll violence victims. Protesters threw eggs and stones at him and raised "chor chor" slogans. Security personnel had to put a helmet on him and physically escort him out of the area.
Banerjee claimed the attack was planned and executed by BJP workers. "It's all BJP-sponsored. This is their example of democracy. It hasn't even been a month and the police are nowhere to be seen," he told reporters after the incident.
He said he narrowly escaped serious injury. "My head was somehow spared because I was wearing a helmet. They tore my clothes and broke my spectacles. They wanted to kill me," he said, adding that the entire incident was recorded on camera and he plans to approach the High Court and the Governor.
One of his key complaints was the complete absence of the police at the spot. He alleged that his team had emailed and called the police in advance to inform them about the visit, but no one responded. "There is no police presence here. They want to kill us," he said, refusing to leave the area until security was arranged. He also said he would not leave the elderly parents of a man named Sanju, apparently a post-poll violence victim, until additional forces arrived.
Police and central forces eventually reached the spot and rescued him as the situation remained tense.
Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reacted sharply on X, writing — "Rulers became killers – shame on you BJP."
TMC's Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien also raised an alarm, questioning why security was withdrawn on the day of counting. He pointed out that Banerjee is the Lok Sabha leader of the second-largest opposition party and demanded answers from the Home Minister.
The BJP is yet to officially respond to the allegations. The incident has added fresh fuel to the ongoing political tension in West Bengal following the recent elections.