The alleged Abhishek Banerjee attack in West Bengal’s Sonarpur South on Saturday has intensified the political confrontation between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with both sides trading accusations over security failures and post-election violence.
Abhishek Banerjee, a TMC MP and nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claimed he was assaulted by a hostile crowd while visiting party workers and families affected by recent political violence in the area.
According to Banerjee, a group of protesters surrounded him shortly after he arrived in Sonarpur, shouting slogans and allegedly throwing stones, eggs and footwear. He also alleged that his shirt was torn during the confrontation. Visuals from the scene showed security personnel escorting him away while he wore a protective helmet.
Speaking after the incident, Banerjee accused authorities of failing to provide adequate security despite the area’s history of political tensions.
“The entire incident was pre-planned. There was no police presence. They wanted to kill me. Only the helmet saved my head,” he said, adding that the episode had been captured on camera.
Despite the disruption, Banerjee later met the family of a TMC worker reportedly killed in post-election violence. He said he would approach the Supreme Court and move a privilege motion in Parliament over the alleged security lapse.
Abhishek Banerjee Attack Sparks Fresh Political Row
The incident occurred in Sonarpur, a politically sensitive region in South 24 Parganas district where TMC and BJP have long engaged in intense electoral battles. The area has witnessed repeated allegations of political violence before and after elections.
The latest controversy comes against the backdrop of post-poll unrest reported in parts of West Bengal following the 2026 Assembly election. Political parties have accused each other of intimidation, vandalism and targeted attacks on supporters.
Reacting to the alleged assault, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the incident and accused BJP workers of orchestrating the attack. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for adequate security for opposition leaders, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav described the incident as deeply concerning and demanded accountability.
The BJP has not immediately responded to all of Banerjee’s allegations, though political tensions in the state remain high following the Assembly election that brought the party to power for the first time in West Bengal.
CID Summons Adds to Political Pressure
Earlier on Saturday, Banerjee received a notice from the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with an alleged forged-signature case. The notice directed him to appear before investigators at the Bhawani Bhavan headquarters on Monday.
The TMC leader is also facing scrutiny over remarks made during the Assembly election campaign. A case was registered against him earlier this month over speeches in which he allegedly used provocative language and made controversial remarks concerning Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Political observers believe the alleged attack, the CID summons and the continuing dispute over post-election violence are likely to deepen the already sharp political divide in the state.
The controversy unfolds weeks after the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, in which the BJP secured a historic victory and formed its first government in the state, while the TMC suffered one of its worst electoral setbacks in recent years.
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