BJP wanted to kill me: Abhishek Banerjee's shirt torn, specs broken in mob attack

What began as a visit to console the family of a man allegedly killed in post-poll violence turned into one of the most dramatic confrontations involving a senior political leader in recent years, with Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee facing a hostile crowd, stone-pelting and chants of "chor chor" in Sonarpur on Saturday.

Television visuals showed Banerjee being escorted through a chaotic crowd while wearing a helmet for protection, his shirt torn and spectacles damaged. Hours later, he was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Kolkata, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived to meet him.

The confrontation has triggered a fresh political storm in West Bengal, with the Trinamool Congress accusing BJP-backed activists of attempting to kill Banerjee, while the BJP distanced itself from the incident and pointed to years of public anger against the ruling party.

VISIT TO BEREAVED FAMILY ENDS IN CHAOS

Banerjee had travelled to Sonarpur to meet the family of Sanju Karmakar, who the Trinamool Congress claims was a victim of post-poll violence.

According to eyewitness accounts and footage from the scene, scores of people gathered as Banerjee entered the area. Protesters hurled stones, eggs and abuses while raising slogans of "chor chor" against the TMC leader.

The crowd quickly swelled, with angry residents blocking his path and questioning his visit.

Some protesters allegedly attempted to physically attack him, prompting security personnel and party workers to form a protective ring around him.

Visuals from the scene showed Banerjee moving through the crowd under heavy security, wearing a helmet as objects continued to be thrown.

'THEY WANT TO KILL ME'

Amid the confrontation, Banerjee accused BJP activists of orchestrating the attack.

"I will not move out from here till police and forces ensure security here. They are trying to break the house and they want to kill me," he said.

Claiming that the administration had been informed in advance about the visit, Banerjee said, "We had mailed police and intimated them about our visit. We called the police but police did not pick up the call."

Later, while speaking to reporters, he alleged that the entire incident had been captured on camera.

"They wanted to kill me. The whole incident has been captured on camera. We will definitely let the High Court know about this. We will also let the Governor know about this. I will definitely move court," he said.

"It is all BJP-sponsored. Look what they have done. This is their example of democracy. It hasn't even been a month, and the police are nowhere to be seen. My head was somehow spared; fortunately, I was wearing a helmet. They have torn my clothes and broken my spectacles."

Banerjee also refused to leave immediately.

"I will not abandon Sanju's elderly parents in this condition until additional forces arrive."

ANGER ON THE STREETS

The confrontation exposed deep public anger among sections of local residents.

Several women gathered outside the house Banerjee visited, carrying broomsticks and bamboo sticks while shouting slogans against him.

One woman said, "Everything has been destroyed because of corruption. Look at the condition of the roads. We are suffering because of waterlogging."

Another resident complained about the lack of development.

"Nothing has happened in 15 years. Look at the roads. We don't have drinking water. My parents have grown old, my son is disabled and nobody has looked after us," he said.

Questioning Banerjee's wealth, the resident alleged, "He has built 17 houses. How? I am a poor man. I sing on trains to earn a living. Now a new government has come and we have hope."

Another protester questioned Banerjee's decision to visit the area.

"Why has he come here? The person whose house he has come to visit is also a thief. It is like a thief visiting another thief," she alleged.

Others referred to previous controversies and demanded answers from the TMC leadership.

CENTRAL FORCES MOVE IN

As the situation deteriorated, a large contingent of police and central forces reached the area.

Personnel from Sonarpur Police Station, accompanied by armed central forces, moved in to restore order and escort Banerjee from the spot.

Even as security personnel evacuated him, protesters continued raising slogans from rooftops and streets.

The Trinamool Congress later shared videos of the incident and accused BJP-backed activists of engineering the attack.

In a post on social media, the party said Banerjee had "refused to abandon the grieving family of Sanju Karmakar" despite being attacked.

"Even after a vicious attack by BJP-backed miscreants, our National General Secretary chose not to turn back. Instead, he stood beside a family devastated by an unimaginable loss allegedly inflicted by BJP-backed hooligans," the party said.

MAMATA VISITS HOSPITAL

Following the incident, Banerjee was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Kolkata for treatment.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later reached the hospital to meet him.

Reacting sharply to the attack, she posted on X: "RULERS BECAME KILLERS — shame on you BJP!"

Her remarks escalated the political confrontation between the state's two principal rivals.

BJP DISTANCES ITSELF

West Bengal BJP president and MP Samik Bhattacharya condemned the attack but denied any role by his party.

"What has happened is not expected in a democracy. This kind of incident is not good for a healthy society," he said.

Bhattacharya said public anger may have contributed to the situation but rejected allegations that the BJP organised the attack.

"The BJP is not involved in such activities. I cannot say why police were not there. That is a matter for the administration and the state government."

He also referred to past attacks on BJP leaders and workers in the state.

"What the TMC has done to our workers over the years cannot be described. We still remember what happened to our leaders in South 24 Parganas and elsewhere. Today, because we are restrained, that is why the TMC is still there," he said.

FRESH FLASHPOINT IN BENGAL POLITICS

The dramatic scenes from Sonarpur have quickly become one of the most talked-about political developments in West Bengal since the recent elections.

With the Trinamool Congress accusing the BJP of attempting to eliminate one of its most prominent leaders and the BJP blaming years of public frustration for the outburst, the confrontation is expected to further deepen the already bitter political divide in the state.

As investigations continue and political accusations fly, questions are also being raised over the absence of adequate security despite prior intimation about Banerjee's visit and whether the violence could have been prevented.

- Ends

With inputs from ANI