Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata
Kolkata, May 31: A day after Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was attacked by a crowd in South 24 Parganas, another senior party leader, Kalyan Banerjee, sustained injuries during a protest in West Bengal's Hooghly district on Sunday.
The four-time Lok Sabha MP from Sreerampur was reportedly hit on the head while visiting Chanditala to submit a complaint regarding alleged post-poll violence at a local police station.
Visuals from the scene showed Kalyan Banerjee being greeted by protesters carrying black flags and raising “chor chor” slogans. While walking through the area, an object allegedly struck him on the head from behind, causing him to collapse briefly on the road.
Police personnel present at the spot rushed to clear the area and assist the injured MP. He later regained his footing but appeared unsteady. Subsequently, he was seen with a bandage wrapped around his head while addressing supporters.
Speaking to reporters, Banerjee alleged that either a stone or a cricket ball had been hurled at him and described the incident as an “attempt to murder.” He blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for orchestrating the attack.
“Suddenly, 10-15 goons started shouting slogans and creating a hostile atmosphere. They abused me, and while I continued walking, a stone was thrown at my head. There was blood on my kurta and pyjama. I fell on the road, and a CRPF personnel came and rescued me,” he claimed.
The MP thanked the Central Reserve Police Force personnel for intervening and criticised the state police, alleging they remained “silent spectators” during the incident.
Banerjee further claimed that Trinamool Congress leaders were being targeted and alleged a breakdown of law and order in the state.
The incident comes a day after Abhishek Banerjee faced a hostile crowd during a visit to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas. Protesters allegedly pushed, heckled and pelted him with eggs and stones while raising slogans against him. Security personnel later escorted him to safety wearing a protective helmet.
Following the attack, Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee accused the BJP of being behind the incident. The BJP, however, denied the allegation, claiming the protests reflected public anger over the Trinamool Congress government's performance over the past 15 years.
BJP leaders maintained that the incidents were a manifestation of growing public resentment and rejected allegations of any organised involvement in the attacks.