According to eyewitnesses and TMC allegations, a group of demonstrators breached security, pushing and striking the parliamentarian. Protesters—including local women—hurled stones, shoes, and eggs at Banerjee while chanting “chor, chor” (thief, thief) slogans. Despite security personnel attempting to shield him, Banerjee’s shirt was torn during the scuffle, forcing him to wear a protective helmet as he navigated the chaotic crowd.
The attack has triggered sharp condemnation from prominent national opposition leaders, who have accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the violence.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the ruling party on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“RULERS BECAME KILLERS — shame on you BJP.”
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge also strongly condemned the incident, pointing to a systemic failure in security.
“Strongly condemn the shocking attack on MP Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur… The deliberate lack of police protection for a prominent Opposition leader speaks volumes about the BJP’s politics of vendetta and persecution,” Kharge posted on X, adding that political differences can never justify violence.
Echoing these views, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav blamed the state’s deteriorating law-and-order situation squarely on the BJP. Yadav described the incident as a “murderous attack,” claiming it proves the party is “capable of nothing but hate-filled, negative, violent politics.”
Meanwhile, the BJP has firmly denied any involvement in the assault. West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya dismissed allegations of a political conspiracy, instead suggesting that the incident was a spontaneous expression of public anger against the ruling Trinamool Congress.
