Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee alleged that his residence in Kolkata’s Kalighat was attacked by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in the early hours of Saturday, following a clash between supporters of the two parties during his birthday celebrations.
Abhishek Banerjee said that a confrontation broke out around 2 am outside his residence after slogans branding someone a “thief" were raised. He alleged that BJP supporters attacked TMC workers with bricks and stones, leaving several injured.
In a video shared on X, Abhishek Banerjee claimed that BJP workers had conducted reconnaissance of his residence for two days before the alleged attack. The footage also purportedly showed people tearing down banners and posters bearing his name.
“After two days of continuous recce, this is how BJP hooligans attacked my house at 2 AM today," he wrote, alleging that it was the seventh attempt on his life in the past six months.
The Diamond Harbour MP also accused the police of failing to intervene despite the alleged violence taking place in their presence. He claimed that some BJP supporters were carrying revolvers and had a “premeditated intent to kill".
“One of our colleagues, Tapas, had the tissue near his thumb crushed. I sent him to the hospital for stitches, but the doctor said stitches wouldn’t suffice; he will require plastic surgery. Someone else suffered a fracture to the bone beneath their eye. They threw stones and bricks. All of this unfolded right in front of the police," he said.
The TMC leader further alleged that when he stepped out of his residence following the incident, he got into a heated argument with the police and BJP supporters. He also accused the ruling party workers of assaulting police personnel.
Abhishek Banerjee Says ‘7th Attempt On My Life’
In his post on X, Abhishek Banerjee claimed that the incident was part of a series of attacks against him over the past six months.
“Yet there has been no police action and no judicial intervention. Hooligans are running riot across the state because the judiciary continues to turn a blind eye. If this is what can happen to an elected Member of Parliament, imagine the plight of the common man in West Bengal," he wrote.
He also criticised the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court, accusing them of remaining silent over the alleged incidents.
Referring to an earlier incident in Sonarpur on June 19, Abhishek Banerjee claimed that an attempt was made on his life when he was returning from Delhi. He alleged that individuals armed with guns were caught by his party workers and that a complaint was filed, but no action followed.
BJP Calls Incident ‘Drama’
The BJP dismissed Abhishek Banerjee’s allegations, with Bengal BJP minister Dilip Ghosh describing the incident as a “drama".
“The first time we are seeing a birthday celebration of a leader being celebrated on a footpath! If anyone creates a nuisance at night, then protest is expected. Who has the time to kill Abhishek Banerjee? There is nothing left, so attempts are being made to mislead people by using emotional rhetoric," Ghosh said.
The alleged attack comes a day after Abhishek Banerjee claimed that unidentified individuals had been conducting surveillance of his office and residence for two days. He alleged that the individuals identified themselves as police personnel when questioned and demanded an immediate investigation into the suspected surveillance
