Kolkata, Nov 7 (PTI) TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee alleged that his residence here was attacked by “BJP hooligans” early on Saturday, triggering clashes between supporters of the two parties, with the opposition accusing the state government of failing to maintain law and order during the festive season.
He alleged that it was the seventh attempt on his life in the last six months.
Condemning the “attack”, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee dared the BJP to use its bulldozers against her, as she accused the ruling party and the police of fostering an atmosphere of “lawlessness and intimidation”.
“How many bulldozers do you have? Bring them all. If you have the courage, come and run your bulldozers over my body. I am standing right here… Run your bulldozer over my chest if you dare,” she said, protesting alleged police harassment and restrictions in the Kalighat area.
Abhishek said his office and residence had been under surveillance for two days before the incident and several of his supporters were injured.
“After two days of continuous recce, this is how BJP hooligans attacked my house at 2 am today. Watch the footage and see for yourself. If this is what can happen to an elected MP, imagine the plight of the common man in WB,” he said in a post on X, sharing a video purportedly showing the incident.
PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
The incident began when BJP supporters allegedly raised ‘chor’ (thief) slogans outside Abhishek’s Kalighat residence, where TMC supporters had gathered to celebrate his birthday. This was followed by counter-sloganeering, arguments and a confrontation between the two groups, with allegations of assault, stone throwing and vandalism.
The three-term Diamond Harbour MP, who came out of his residence to meet injured party workers, alleged that the attackers used wooden rods fitted with nails and vandalised the party’s local office. He claimed four to five supporters sustained serious injuries, with one requiring plastic surgery and another suffering a fracture.
He also accused the police of failing to prevent the attack despite being present at the spot.
“This is the seventh attempt on my life in the last six months. Yet, there has been no police action and no judicial intervention. Hooligans are running riot across the state because the judiciary continues to turn a blind eye. Thank you, Milords, for remaining mute spectators!” he said.
Mamata Banerjee alleged that BJP-backed miscreants, accompanied by police personnel, had attacked Abhishek’s residence in the early hours.
“At 2 am or 3 am, BJP lumpens, along with the police, are attacking people’s homes. Why are you bringing lumpen elements and attacking homes in the middle of the night?” she said.
She accused the police of blocking the lane leading to her residence and imposing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, disrupting preparations for the Kali Puja.
Mamata said, “Our puja preparations are going on at home. There is work to be done, but the police are blocking the lane. This is Patuapara, where idols are made. Why are you preventing people from carrying out their activities?”
Alleging that a separate Kali Puja had been permitted on the main road, obstructing access to her residence, she said, “No puja has ever been organised at the entrance to my residence. My puja has always taken place inside the premises.”
The TMC supremo accused the BJP of hypocrisy, saying its leaders were holding ‘Save Democracy’ rallies while allegedly preventing people from exercising their democratic and religious rights.
She also alleged that police personnel had misbehaved with Abhishek.
“Nobody is above the law. The police must maintain their neutrality. Their responsibility is to uphold the law, protect citizens and ensure that everyone receives equal treatment, irrespective of political affiliation,” she said.
“I know what your capacity is and what promotion you will get, but do not cross your limits. If you cross the limits, I will fight you,” she added, threatening to approach the Supreme Court over the alleged police excesses.
Later, following another round of confrontation between police and TMC supporters outside Abhishek’s residence, she urged them to maintain peace and not to fall into a “BJP trap”.
She alleged that police personnel had smashed ‘shakha-pola’, traditional bangles worn by married Bengali Hindu women, during the confrontation.
Mamata warned that if restrictions continued to prevent supporters from gathering outside the MP’s residence, she would organise Kali Puja in front of the Kalighat temple.
She also accused the BJP of surviving on “hamla and mamla” (attacks and court cases), and questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise of ‘achhe din’.
“We are part of the INDIA alliance, and I believe that is one of the reasons behind this political hostility. But being part of an opposition alliance does not give anyone the right to target us or interfere with our legitimate political activities,” she said.
The BJP rejected Abhishek Banerjee’s allegations and accused TMC supporters of provoking the confrontation. Minister Dilip Ghosh said, “When power is lost, such charges are common.”
The Kolkata Police said a commotion had broken out between supporters of the two parties, prompting a police team to intervene. An investigation was underway, an officer said.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, responding to the episode, said, “Let us not destroy this purified environment by talking about corrupt people and thieves.”
Earlier in the day, while addressing an event at the Kolkata Police headquarters, Adhikari issued a stern warning against attacks on police personnel.
Ironically, hours later, the TMC’s Mamata faction posted a video clip on X, allegedly showing a BJP supporter slapping a policeman in plain clothes during the scuffle before Abhishek’s residence.
Abhishek, while reposting the video, said, “This is the BJP’s model of governance in West Bengal, where hooliganism rules and even police officers are not spared.” PTI BSM PNT SCH SMY BDC NN SOM SMY NN
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.