The political confrontation over the attack on Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee intensified on Sunday, with the BJP alleging that internal factionalism within the ruling party was behind the incident, while the TMC accused the saffron camp of encouraging political violence.
BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari suggested that divisions within the Trinamool Congress could have led to the attack on Banerjee in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas.
In a post on X, Bhandari questioned whether “TMC internal factionism” was responsible for the assault and claimed that those arrested in connection with the incident were allegedly linked to former TMC MLA Lovely Moitra.
“TMC cadres only going against Abhishek Banerjee,” Bhandari alleged, adding that the incident reflected growing “anti-incumbency” against the TMC leader, popularly referred to by BJP leaders as “Bhaipo”.
West Bengal BJP leader and minister Agnimitra Paul also rejected allegations against her party and described the episode as a manifestation of public anger against the ruling dispensation.
“What we are witnessing these days is genuine public anger—pure public anger,” Paul said, accusing the TMC of pursuing vindictive politics and fostering a culture of violence over the years.
Also read: Four arrested for attack on Abhishek Banerjee
The Trinamool Congress, however, strongly rejected the BJP's claims and maintained that the attack was part of a wider pattern of political aggression allegedly encouraged by the opposition party.
TMC MP Sougata Roy condemned the incident and alleged that stones and eggs were hurled at Banerjee during his visit to Sonarpur. He accused BJP leaders of speaking about peace publicly while allegedly provoking their supporters against TMC leaders.
Roy also claimed that police personnel were absent when Banerjee arrived at the location and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to restrain BJP workers.
The row widened further after BJP leader Debjit Sarkar criticised senior TMC leader Madan Mitra over remarks directed at the police, accusing the ruling party of showing disregard for law enforcement agencies.
Banerjee was attacked by a mob on Saturday while visiting victims of alleged post-poll violence in Sonarpur.
Four people have been arrested for allegedly attacking Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee during his visit to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district, police said on Sunday. According to a senior police officer, the arrests were made during overnight raids based on video footage collected from the area.
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