Kolkata, India, June 2: Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to lead a protest demonstration in Kolkata on Tuesday against the alleged post-poll violence targeting senior party leaders, including MPs Abhishek Banerjee and Kalyan Banerjee.
The protest is scheduled to be held at Rani Rashmoni Road amid escalating political tensions in the state following recent incidents of violence involving TMC leaders.The demonstration comes in the wake of an alleged attack on TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee during a visit to families affected by post-poll violence in South 24 Parganas. Abhishek Banerjee claimed that he was assaulted with bricks, stones and eggs, sustaining an eye injury in what he described as a “BJP-sponsored” attack.
In a separate incident, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee alleged that he was attacked near Chanditala Police Station while submitting a deputation, describing the incident as an “attempt to murder.”Addressing the issue on Monday, Mamata Banerjee strongly condemned the alleged attacks and accused authorities of failing to protect opposition leaders.
She expressed shock over what she termed the “targeted violence” against TMC representatives and criticised the handling of the incidents.“The way the MP of the second-largest opposition party was assaulted is shocking. TMC will become even stronger. You cannot weaken the party through intimidation or pressure,” Banerjee said in a video statement.
The TMC chief further asserted that the party would proceed with its planned protest regardless of administrative restrictions. She warned that if demonstrations were not permitted in Kolkata, the party would take its agitation to the national capital.“Arrest me if you want. The TMC will hold its protest on June 2 even without police permission, microphones or a stage. If we are not allowed to protest in Kolkata, we will protest in Delhi,” she said.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Rahul Sinha questioned the rationale behind the protest, stating that law enforcement agencies had already acted in the matter. He alleged that the incident involving Abhishek Banerjee was orchestrated to defame the BJP and seek enhanced security, claims strongly rejected by the TMC.
Police have arrested five individuals in connection with the alleged attack on Abhishek Banerjee, and further investigations are underway.
The developments have intensified the political confrontation between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP, with both parties trading allegations over the recent incidents of violence in West Bengal.