A series of confrontations between BJP and Trinamool Congress supporters outside Abhishek Banerjee’s Kalighat residence in Kolkata turned violent early Saturday, leaving several people injured and prompting police intervention as the Diamond Harbour MP alleged an attempt on his life.
At A Glance
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Clashes allegedly involving BJP and Trinamool supporters erupted outside Abhishek Banerjee’s Kalighat residence between 2.30 a.m. and 3.30 a.m. on Saturday.
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The Diamond Harbour MP alleged a conspiracy to attack and kill him, claiming it was the seventh attempt on his life in six months.
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Police resorted to baton charges to disperse the rival groups, while Abhishek staged a sit-in protest before returning indoors at around 6.30 a.m.
Tension gripped the Kalighat area of Kolkata after late-night clashes allegedly involving supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Mamata All India Trinamool Congress (MAITC) erupted outside the residence of Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee during his 39th birthday celebrations.
The violence unfolded in several phases between 2.30 a.m. and 3.30 a.m. on Saturday. What began as a verbal confrontation soon escalated into physical altercations and stone pelting. Several people from both groups reportedly sustained injuries.
Abhishek, who represents the Diamond Harbour parliamentary constituency, alleged that there was a conspiracy to attack and kill him. He also accused BJP supporters of vandalising a nearby Trinamool Congress party office.
The incident triggered a major police response. A large contingent of personnel rushed to the area and resorted to baton charges to disperse the rival groups.
Birthday Celebrations Turn Violent
Trinamool Congress workers and supporters had gathered outside Abhishek’s Kalighat residence shortly after midnight on Friday to celebrate his 39th birthday, which falls on Saturday.
The situation reportedly deteriorated around 2.30 a.m. when a group of BJP workers allegedly arrived outside the residence and began shouting slogans of “thief, thief”.
Trinamool supporters claimed that the BJP workers tore down Abhishek’s photographs, cutouts and banners carrying birthday greetings.
Their alleged actions triggered protests from Trinamool supporters. An argument soon developed between the two groups, leading to physical confrontations and stone pelting.
The violence created tension in the neighbourhood and prompted the police to deploy additional personnel.
Abhishek Alleges Conspiracy to Kill Him
Abhishek came out of his residence during the confrontation and met some of his injured supporters.
He alleged that the incident was part of a deliberate plot to target him physically.
“There is a plot to attack and kill me,” he said while reacting to the incident.
The Trinamool MP subsequently took to social media and launched a sharp attack on the BJP and the police over the alleged assault.
In his statement, Abhishek claimed that BJP supporters had conducted surveillance around his residence for two days before launching the attack.
“Following two days of continuous surveillance, BJP hooligans attacked my residence at 2 a.m. today. Watch the footage and judge for yourselves,” he alleged.
He questioned the security situation in West Bengal and argued that an elected Member of Parliament could face such an incident despite holding public office.
“If this can happen to an elected Member of Parliament, one can only imagine the plight of ordinary people in West Bengal,” he said.
MP Claims Seventh Attempt on His Life
Abhishek further alleged that the latest incident marked the seventh attempt on his life in the past six months.
He accused the police of failing to take action against those allegedly involved in previous incidents. He also criticised the judiciary over what he described as a lack of intervention.
“This is the seventh attempt on my life in the past six months. Yet, neither has the police taken action nor has there been any judicial intervention,” he claimed.
The Trinamool leader also alleged that hooligans were operating freely across the state because the judiciary had failed to intervene effectively.
In a pointed remark directed at the judiciary, he said, “Thank you, Milords, for choosing to remain silent.”
Abhishek attached a photograph and a video purportedly showing the late-night clashes to his social media post. He urged people to watch the footage and assess the incident themselves.
Sit-in Protest Outside Residence
Meanwhile, Abhishek staged a sit-in protest outside his residence following the clashes on Friday night.
Police officers deployed at the spot asked him and his supporters to leave the area. They warned that their continued presence could further aggravate tensions.
However, the Diamond Harbour MP entered into a heated exchange with the on-duty police personnel over their request.
The stand-off continued until Saturday morning. Abhishek finally returned inside his residence at around 6.30 a.m. after police intervention.
Police sources confirmed that several people from both rival groups sustained injuries during the clashes. The police used baton charges to disperse the groups and restore order. (Edited by Enewstime Desk)