Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Aug 9: Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee faced protests in North 24 Parganas district on Sunday when she was travelling to the residence of a deceased Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker.
The incident took place in Bijpur, where a group of protesters reportedly surrounded Banerjee's vehicle and raised slogans of "chor" (thief). Stones, mud and slippers were allegedly thrown at her car.
Banerjee alleged that her vehicle came under attack despite the presence of police personnel and accused the state government of failing to provide adequate security for her visit.
"My car has been attacked with stones, shoes and mud. This is nothing but a conspiracy. I had informed the police that I would be coming, but despite that, the police did not take any security measures. The entire West Bengal is being controlled by goons," Banerjee told reporters.
She alleged that large stones were thrown at her vehicle in front of police personnel and claimed that the incident could have resulted in serious injuries.
"Large stones were hurled at my car by anti-social elements, right in front of the police. The attack on the vehicle was so severe that if the windows had been open, my head would have been split open. We could have all been killed," she said.
Banerjee further accused the police of providing protection to BJP workers and questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Protesters, meanwhile, alleged that Banerjee had come to "disturb" the peaceful area and raised slogans against the former chief minister.
The visit was reportedly linked to the death of a TMC worker who allegedly fell ill while in the custody of Halisahar police.
The BJP condemned the alleged attack on Banerjee's vehicle and denied that any of its workers were involved in the incident.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the party did not support throwing stones, mud or slippers at Banerjee's vehicle.
"The Bharatiya Janata Party does not support anyone throwing stones, mud or slippers at the former Chief Minister's car. No BJP worker is involved in this, and we do not want this kind of treatment of the former woman Chief Minister of the state," Bhattacharya said.
He said such incidents could tarnish the image of West Bengal and maintained that the police should take appropriate action if the allegations were found to be true.
State minister Agnimitra Paul also condemned the alleged incident, saying that violence or misbehaviour against Banerjee could not be justified.
"Whatever she may have done over the past 14 years, I am a member of this new government team and a supporter of the Chief Minister. Neither I, nor our party, nor our government support violence, misbehaviour, or actions like throwing mud, ink or shoes," Paul said.
She added that such behaviour was not part of BJP culture and said that even if Banerjee had made mistakes during her tenure, violence against her, particularly as a woman and elderly person, could not be supported.
"If someone is doing such things while claiming to be a representative of the BJP, they are wrong. We do not support it," Paul said.