Political Violence Escalates in West Bengal
In the escalating political conflict in West Bengal, Trinamul Congress MPs Abhishek and Kalyan Banerjee both faced violent attacks within days of each other, raising questions about communal tensions and potential vendettas. The incidents have severely impacted party operations and community relations.
Highlights
- •Trinamul Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee faces violence in Chanditala
- •Incident follows similar attack on Abhishek Banerjee at Sonarpur
- •Mamata Banerjee alleges police negligence and condemns the attacks
- •Five individuals arrested, with conflicting claims from both TMC and BJP
In a swift escalation of political tensions, Kolkatta saw renewed violence as Kalyan Banerjee, a four-time Serampore parliamentarian and fellow Trinamul Congress member, faced a violent mob attack just one day after his party colleague, Abhishek Banerjee, was injured in another part of West Bengal. The incident unfolded on Sunday when Banerjee, accompanied by his supporters, attempted to submit a deputation at Chanditala police station in Hooghly for protesting the earlier assault on their political kin. Local citizens turned hostile, chanting 'Chor' and displaying black flags, resulting in skirmishes.
According to Kalyan Banerjee's account, BJP workers allegedly attacked him with bricks, leading to head injuries. He covered his head with a piece of cloth and sat down on the road alongside supporters for further demonstrations. His assertions follow similar claims by Abhishek Banerjee regarding the assault at Sonarpur.
Political Vendetta Suspected
The attacks, coupled with the ongoing scrutiny over signatures forged to name Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the opposition leader, have heightened suspicions of political vendettas. TMC supremo and former chief minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to visit Banerjee at his residence, issuing a strong statement denouncing BJP's alleged attacks.
Police identified five individuals—Akash Gayen, Kajal Das, Debasis Dutta, Tapan Maity, and Nirmalya Sengupta—who were arrested following multiple videos of the attack. Among these, the TMC alleges, four are BJP supporters, while BJP refutes this claim.
The TMC also faced significant internal strife on Sunday when 60 of its 80 MLAs stayed away from a crucial meeting called by party leader Mamata Banerjee at her residence. The meeting was eventually canceled as only Beleghata MLA and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh attended.
