Kolkata: Abhishek Banerjee gets into a heated argument with police after TMC-BJP clash outside his residence, alleges attempt on his life; BJP dismisses his claims as drama

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee stepped out of his residence and got into a heated argument with the police and BJP supporters. During the heated exchange, Banerjee was threatening them on the spot, as he alleged that BJP party workers had “assaulted” the police force present at the scene. He also alleged an attack on his residence in Kolkata following a clash between TMC goons and the BJP workers during his birthday celebrations on Friday night, 6th November.

The incident took place outside Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat, where a shouting match broke out after “thief” and “cattle thief” slogans were raised. The Diamond Harbour MP claimed that BJP members threw his supporters to the ground and attacked them with brickbats. 

Abhishek Banerjee alleges attempt to kill him

Speaking to the media, Banerjee claimed that BJP supporters had arrived with revolvers and had a “premeditated intent to kill”. He also asserted that his party workers were injured during the incident.

“One of our colleagues, Tapas, had the tissue near his thumb crushed; I sent him to the hospital for stitches, but the doctor said stitches wouldn’t suffice; he will require plastic surgery. Someone else suffered a fracture to the bone beneath their eye. They threw stones and bricks. All of this unfolded right in front of the police,” Banerjee insisted.

The MP claimed that this was not the first attempt to attack him. Referring to an incident on 19th June, he said that armed individuals had allegedly tried to attack him while he was returning from Delhi after an incident in Sonarpur. He claimed that his party workers caught the suspects and a complaint was filed, but the police took no action.

In a post on X, Banerjee alleged that this was the seventh attempt on his life in the past six months. He also attacked the judiciary and said, “If this is what can happen to an elected Member of Parliament, imagine the plight of the common man in West Bengal. Thank you, Milords, for remaining mute spectators.”

The BJP dismissed Banerjee’s allegations and described the incident as a “drama”. Bengal BJP minister Dilip Ghosh said, “The first time we are seeing birthday celebration on a leader being celebrated on footpath! If anyone creates a nuisance at night, then protest is expected. Who has the time to kill Abhishek Banerjee? There is nothing left, so attempts are being made to mislead people by using emotional rhetoric.”

The clash came a day after Banerjee alleged that unidentified people had been conducting surveillance of his office and residence for two days. He claimed that when questioned, the individuals identified themselves as police personnel.