‘Anti-Incumbency Against Bhaipo’: BJP Says ‘TMC Factionalism’ Behind Abhishek Banerjee’s Attack

Last Updated:May 31, 2026, 14:53 IST

West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul also dismissed allegations against the BJP, describing the incident as a manifestation of public anger against the Trinamool Congress.

The political confrontation over the attack on Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee intensified on Sunday, with the BJP and TMC trading sharp accusations over the incident while rival leaders sought to frame the assault through competing political narratives.

BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari suggested that internal divisions within the Trinamool Congress may have been behind the attack. In a post on X, he claimed, “TMC internal factionism responsible for attack on Abhishek Banerjee?" He further alleged that the six people arrested in connection with the case were close “aides of former MLA Lovely Moitra".

“TMC cadres only going against Abhishek Banerjee!" Bhandari wrote, adding, “Imagine the level of anti-incumbency against ‘Bhaipo’!"

West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul also dismissed allegations against the BJP, describing the incident as a manifestation of public anger against the Trinamool Congress.

“What we are witnessing these days is genuine public anger—pure public anger," Paul said. She accused Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress of engaging in “atrocities, vindictive politics, and violent clashes" over the past 15 years.

Paul warned the TMC leadership against returning to what she termed violent political practices. “Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, if you try to resort to your brand of violent politics again, we will simply not tolerate it," she said.

Invoking several high-profile incidents from the previous regime, Paul said the public had delivered its verdict and questioned the TMC’s record on law and order and women’s safety. She added that the BJP government’s objective was “holistic development" and called for collective efforts for the state’s progress.

The TMC, however, maintained that the attack was part of a broader pattern of political violence allegedly encouraged by the BJP.

Speaking to CNN-News18, TMC MP Sougata Roy described the incident as a “continuation of the heinous efforts of the BJP" and said stones and eggs had been thrown at Abhishek Banerjee.

Roy alleged that while BJP state leaders publicly spoke of peace, they were simultaneously “provoking their workers to attack TMC leaders". He also claimed that police personnel were not present when Abhishek Banerjee visited Sonarpur.

“I strongly condemn the two-faced attitude of BJP leaders," Roy said, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to restrain BJP workers “unless they want to push Bengal to Anarchy".

The political row widened further after BJP leader Debjit Sarkar targeted senior TMC leader Madan Mitra over remarks directed at the police.

In a post on X, Sarkar wrote, “Arrogance of TMC and their disregard for law knows no bounds." He alleged that Mitra had threatened the Kolkata Police, claiming that police officers would eventually have to “fall at the feet of the TMC" to work in Kamarhati.

Abhishek Banerjee was assaulted by a mob in Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas, where he had gone to meet victims of post-election violence.

News india ‘Anti-Incumbency Against Bhaipo’: BJP Says ‘TMC Factionalism’ Behind Abhishek Banerjee’s Attack

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