BJP-TMC Clash: Abhishek Banerjee Attacked in Sonarpur, Mamata Banerjee Blames Security Failure

Added: 2026-06-01

[00:00:02]Hello and welcome. You're watching News X and I'm Megha Sharma. The TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee visited Sonarpur today to meet families affected by the post-poll violence. The situation turned chaotic as a crowd suddenly turned aggressive against him. He's They surrounded him. There are videos from the spot that show Abhishek Banerjee being escorted out by security personnel with his shirt torn in the scuffle. He later alleged the BJP was involved and he raised serious concerns over the security arrangements during the visit.

[00:00:33]Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee reached Apollo Hospital in Kolkata where Abhishek Banerjee is now undergoing treatment. Reacting strongly to the incident, Mamata Banerjee said that the rulers have become killers. Shame on BJP.

[00:00:47]Let's open up this conversation. In fact, joining me right now on the telecast is Ranik Dutta. Ranik, what's the update from the ground? We are getting to know that Abhishek Banerjee is hospitalized and Mamata Banerjee has gone to visit him.

[00:01:05]>> I think they care.

[00:01:07]Abhishek Banerjee Apollo Hospital Mamta Banerjee the final Abhishek Banerjee Apollo Hospital transfer Mamta Banerjee treatment easy way to say pressure treatment Abhishek Banerjee transfer Mamta Banerjee Mamta Banerjee Apollo Hospital Apollo Apollo Hospital Abhishek Banerjee Abhishek Banerjee Mamta Banerjee Abhishek Banerjee Abhishek Banerjee Apollo Hospital private hospital >> Okay.

[00:02:31]Okay. All right, thanks for giving us that update. Stay with me. I'll keep coming back to you as and when there are more developments to this story. Joining me on the telecast right now is Radhika Bhattacharya Shah. She's a BJP spokesperson. Radhika, let's hear it from you with regards to these allegations coming forth not just from the TMC but from the Congress from from the Samajwadi Party. They're all are chanting the same thing.

[00:02:56]Claiming that there was no adequate security personnel on the ground to safeguard the safety security of Abhishek Banerjee. They are claiming they are alleging that this was a BJP vendetta at play.

[00:03:16]>> Uh well, the real question is this.

[00:03:20]How did Bengal reach a stage where even the second most powerful leader of the erstwhile ruling establishment finds himself surrounded by anger, hostility, and public outrage?

[00:03:34]Let me say very clearly at the outset that violence of any kind against any political leader is unacceptable.

[00:03:43]BJP doesn't endorse such things. Whether it's against a BJP worker, a TMC worker, or Mr. Abhishek himself. Democracy cannot function through intimidation and physical attacks.

[00:03:58]But while we condemn this incident, we must also ask a very uncomfortable question.

[00:04:05]Was Sonarpur an isolated incident?

[00:04:09]Or was it a mirror reflecting years of accumulated public resentment, political arrogance, corruption allegations, intimidation, and the culture of fear that Bengal has witnessed?

[00:04:26]Now, coming to the question, or the accusations about BJP sponsoring the attack.

[00:04:34]Making an allegation is not the same as proving the allegation.

[00:04:40]Abhishek Banerjee took no time to immediately blame the BJP.

[00:04:46]So, our question to TMC and Mr. Banerjee are as follows.

[00:04:54]Where is the evidence?

[00:04:56]Who organized it?

[00:04:58]Who funded it?

[00:05:00]And do they know whether or not any BJP leader instructed it?

[00:05:05]>> But Radhika Banerjee, isn't it isn't it also ironical because every single time there has been a BJP leader or a worker or a volunteer that has been attacked or faced an act of violence on the ground in West Bengal, similar accusations have been made multiple times. There has been no time wasted when the BJP leadership has targeted the TMC, attacking Mamata Banerjee, calling it a state-run vendetta against opposition political parties.

[00:05:37]>> There's a slight difference to what is happening today as opposed to the state of affairs yesterday when TMC was in power.

[00:05:49]We must understand that TMC wasn't in power because of popularity.

[00:05:56]People were in duress. People were intimidated. People realized that boot capturing takes place and that is how they are in power.

[00:06:06]Today what we see is not a politically made situation.

[00:06:13]People were so annoyed with the Banerjee's, the aunt and nephew duo.

[00:06:18]That today they feel free to vent their fury.

[00:06:23]And it is not a matter of what BJP used to say in the yesteryears because at that time it was true that our workers were attacked, that our people had to pay you know, there was a big punishment for being BJP supporters then during the TMC regime.

[00:06:43]>> at this point in time also being raised by opposition party leaders talking about what is the difference in the in the West Bengal uh before BJP won the elections and the West Bengal after the BJP has won the elections when the law and order situation continues to be so dire?

[00:07:07]>> Well, Mr. Abhishek Banerjee, if he wanted to go to Sonarpur, the questions to ask is did he let the authorities know of his movements?

[00:07:15]Was the police intimidated about his movements? Were they told where he's going to go? Did the police give him any advice on whether or not the environment would be conducive or not?

[00:07:27]Everyone is aware that people of Bengal have seen through the TMC and that's why Mr. Abhishek Banerjee was thrown eggs at, was thrown stones at, was manhandled and was called the >> Okay, I got your point. Got your point.

[00:07:41]Manisha let's hear it from you. Now, you heard it from Radhika the BJP spokesperson. Uh The BJP is saying that it is the pent-up anger, the angst, the frustration of the people of West Bengal, and particularly uh from the from the region of Sonarpur in 24 North Parganas district, uh that caused them to act out in such a manner that they heckled and hurled eggs and stones and tore his shirt apart. And uh and it and and and and and the TMC cannot go ahead and blame BJP for this law and order situation.

[00:08:23]>> So, it's a failure of law and order, and TMC can't blame the BJP. So, that's the next level of uh failure on the on on democracy itself.

[00:08:32]So, you can't blame the the people in power. You can't question the people in power while people in opposition are pelted stones, are pelted eggs, and that is a venting of fury. That is anger of of people while it's a massive failure of the people in power, that is the BJP government in Bengal. So, this is what the conduct is, and this is not something which is very new. TMC did the same when they took over from Left. Left did the same when they when they took over from Congress. And it is the same culture. I have been debating in the West Bengal debates.

[00:09:06]Uh Gautam ji has been part of many of my debates with me. So, what we discussed that BJP should not repeat what Left did, what TM what TMC did in the past.

[00:09:15]BJP should be a party with a difference, and BJP is not a party with a difference when this is going to happen. So, now if tomorrow, after 5 years, TMC or for for example, Congress comes in power, what is going to happen? Uh the soul of West Bengal is going to remain the same. That is, whoever comes in power will make sure that the other political party uh venting out venting out of fury would happen. Anger of people would happen and law and order would remain the same.

[00:09:42]Now, that is not what the people of Bengal expected this to happen. You have to be above politics. You have to be a different political party. You are doing the same thing what TMC did in 2011.

[00:09:52]You're doing the same thing what in 1970s left it to the Congress workers.

[00:09:56]Now, this is what it's the same chapter.

[00:09:58]I don't think with this kind of conduct let me complete. I don't think with this kind of conduct West Bengal is moving any forward. is going to create a karyakarta versus karyakarta. This is going to create a law and order situation. Today it is Abhishek Banerjee at all his tallest leader or a so-called nephew of Mamata Banerjee, but still a leader of an opposition political party has been treated this way. Tomorrow it is so look at the look at the fury of being these karyakartas or these voters who dislike, disown, does not care about the other political party, but they don't have any right to pelt stone at someone. They don't have any You have the right to vote. You have the right to criticize. You have the right to speak against them. You have the right to charge them against corruption if there is any. You have the right to invoke ED, CBI which you have already done. So, now what is left?

[00:10:47]>> Okay.

[00:10:47]>> All right.

[00:10:48]>> Fair enough.

[00:10:48]>> Yeah, you made your point.

[00:10:50]Yeah, fair enough.

[00:10:52]Bipin Sharma, let's let's hear it from you as well. How do you perceive unfortunate incident that has taken place? You've heard from the BJP. You've heard from the opposition parties including the TMC where they are calling it a BJP vendetta.

[00:11:06]Is BJP justified in shrugging its shoulders and saying that it was the pent-up anger of 15 years that people have been subjected to under the rule of the TMC and therefore it's coming out now and there's nothing that the BJP can do to help it.

[00:11:23]>> Thanks, Mega. Good evening. So, you see this is the last thing that we expect from a government that has got a decisive mandate, a thumping majority. And we have huge expectations from our honorable Prime Minister. He's indeed a leader with a difference. So, definitely, in one tone and tenor, there is no second thought that this particular incident needs to be condemned, and the guilty need to be brought to books. And stern action needs to be taken because uh our honorable Prime Minister spoke about badlav and no badla. So, that means uh there is no place for any sort of uh vengeance being uh retributive. So, that is one aspect. BUT THEN, TODAY'S UNFORTUNATE, SHOCKING, appalling incident also makes one to think as to who spoke about instigating the GenZ.

[00:12:17]Who was actually making merry when the GenZ uh WENT BERSERK IN NEPAL, BANGLADESH, AND SRI LANKA. And who who spoke about uh you know, the Prime Minister uh the day will come when the Prime Minister will not be able to step out, and the people of the country will give him a befitting reply and teach him a lesson of a lifetime. SO, DEFINITELY, A THOUGHT NEEDS TO GO IN THAT DIRECTION. THAT UH NO ONE has the right to take law into their hands, >> Okay.

[00:12:48]>> and any kind of a political violence or any ordinary violence also is unacceptable.

[00:12:54]>> Okay.

[00:12:54]>> And you HAVE YOU CAN HOLD YOUR GRUDGE, AND YOU CAN ALWAYS APPROACH the judiciary, the courts.

[00:13:00]But then, to take law into your hands and to uh serve justice on the roadside, I think this is the last thing we need >> Gautam Okay, fair enough. Yeah, you you've made you've made your point.

[00:13:09]Gautam Mukerji, coming to you. You know, uh do you think this is an onerous task that uh the BJP has taken upon itself in a state uh that has seen political parties, political leaders leave a legacy of violence and poor law and order and a situation such as this that has happened that has taken place just a few weeks after the BJP has won the election again could could could it have been averted?

[00:13:42]Could the security forces have been more alert, more proactive? And when Radhika says that did Abhishek Banerjee inform the law and order agencies about his schedule visit to this victim's family's residence his whereabouts? Do you think that would have helped the police in ensuring his safety and security in wake of such an untoward incident that has taken place?

[00:14:11]>> Well, let us understand that Abhishek Banerjee is no longer the heir apparent no longer the de facto deputy chief minister of Bengal.

[00:14:25]He is a simple MP.

[00:14:28]His Z security was removed a few days ago.

[00:14:33]He's entitled to what an MP is entitled to now.

[00:14:38]Mamata Banerjee similarly is not only not an MLA but is merely head of her party for as long as it lasts.

[00:14:50]So, if these people do not have a care for their own safety given the amount of public anger and the amount of corruption and other issues that are being unearthed on a daily basis guns, money drugs you know, there's a tremendous amount of corruption and it all seems to lead straight to the two Banerjees. Banerjee with 50 different properties and so on. This has been all coming out in less than a month.

[00:15:28]So if he's going to go and try and revive his political fortunes and gets pelted with eggs and stones, it's not surprising at all.

[00:15:41]Now to say that the the law and order situation is bad because the banerjees are being hit is totally I think misappropriated and what should be understood is that the general public is being protected, not these two criminals who I hope will soon be in jail.

[00:16:04]>> Okay. All right. Those are visuals of Abhishek Banerjee who is being escorted in in in a in in a in that medical van in that ambulance. We see Derek O'Brien also over there at this point of time.

[00:16:19]We also So just a while ago Mamta Banerjee was also inside Apollo Hospital where he was being treated and at least an effort was being made to treat him but his hospital at this point of time has been changed. He's being taken to another one because as per the statement made by Mamta Banerjee, there was no adequate proper medical treatment that was being provided to Abhishek Banerjee that led to the decision that was made to move him from the Apollo Hospital and shift him to another one. So those are the live visuals coming in from the hospital where right now we're seeing that Abhishek Banerjee has been taken in that emergency vehicle in that ambulance to another hospital.

[00:17:08]Okay. I I do have another question for you Gautam. So are we saying that is that So we're saying you know, BJP has won the election and previous to BJP's uh win in West Bengal, there were day after day reports of BJP workers, BJP leaders, BJP politicians being attacked, uh being targeted, acts of violence unleashed against them. And suddenly, right after the elections have won have been won by the BJP, we see that TMC leaders and workers and politicians are being targeted. There are acts of violence that are being unleashed against them. Is there a difference in the kind of violence that was taking place against against the BJP before the elections were won by the party versus what is happening right now?

[00:18:02]>> Well, 301 BJP workers were killed over the years that Mamata Banerjee has been in power.

[00:18:11]Uh there has been continuous violence and intimidation, not only against the BJP workers, but against anybody who supports the BJP.

[00:18:23]This is retribution from the general public. And I believe the law and order that we are talking of is not for the benefit, I repeat, not for the benefit of the likes of Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee.

[00:18:41]>> But then, you cannot have I mean, I Are you Are you at this point of time endorsing mob justice?

[00:18:48]>> This is I'm >> I'm not at all unhappy that he got attacked.

[00:18:52]Let me put it that way.

[00:18:53]>> Pakistan and India Are we justifying this? This is This is on a national television we are justifying this. If there is anger of people, if there is corruption of the opposition people right now, so you will try them in the on the roads? I think that is what is being justified right now on national media. I think it is shameful, absurd, and that That not something which our country is known for. You may have difference of opinion, you may have difference of words, but that is not how our country functions and that is not how India will function. I may have anger with anyone, but that does not give me the right to pelt stone at anyone.

[00:19:22]>> Exactly.

[00:19:23]>> a different view than you, but that does not mean that I'll throw eggs on you.

[00:19:27]Are we are we normalizing all this?

[00:19:29]What level have we gone down to? This is This is much below below below what TMC >> May I say something, please? May I >> May I also add something?

[00:19:38]>> MAY I IF YOU ALLOW ME?

[00:19:40]May I add something?

[00:19:41]>> Let me Let me Let me have Radhika into the back into the conversation. So, yeah, Radhika, again again, you know, a lot of other situation is the BJP government, especially in this region will try to make an effort to find out who these people were who instigated the locals to attack Abhishek Banerjee and can there be proactive measures taken, correctives made to ensure such violence does not take place? Also, if such thing continues uh in different parts of West Bengal where people are attacked in broad daylight, what is the difference between a TMC and a BJP?

[00:20:25]>> Uh Megha, I'll I'd like to elaborate on what I had said earlier. The incident in Sonarpur was politically significant not because eggs or stones were thrown at Abhishek Banerjee. It is significant because it reveals something much deeper. For years, we all know that the people of Bengal were told that certain leaders were untouchable, unquestionable, and politically invincible.

[00:20:51]Yet, in Sonarpur, what we witnessed was not fear.

[00:20:55]We witnessed anger. We witnessed resentment. And most importantly, we witnessed the collapse of a carefully cultivated image of unquestioned authority.

[00:21:07]We know that the environment in Bengal is of is is is of anger.

[00:21:15]>> But is it the anger, the frustration, the unhappiness of the people, of the locals, as you claim, uh is this again the question is is this again the question is this justifiable? Could it have have been averted? And the statements that are coming, the comments that are coming from the opposition leaders that the law and order situation on the ground was not at the optimum to allow for Abhishek Banerjee to visit the family and be safeguarded from any of these attacks.

[00:21:50]>> Because I started, please allow me to finish.

[00:21:53]Many citizens today feel that corruption in the past had become institutionalized and political patronage had become normal. Local leaders became unacceptable and ordinary voices were ignored.

[00:22:06]Whether one agrees or disagrees, that perception exists and Sonarpur became an expression of that very anger. Now, for years many people felt afraid to openly oppose the ruling establishment. After the change in political power, people have become more willing to express that >> But are you justifying this?

[00:22:26]>> No, we are not >> It seems AS IF YOU ARE.

[00:22:31]>> BUT WHY ARE WE WHY ARE we perceiving this to be an action by BJP workers? Why aren't we considering that these were the same people that the TMC believed were their supporters who are today >> I'm just saying that whether it whether whether it was BJP BJP workers or BJP leaders who decided to orchestrate this entire incident or there were locals who were upset, angry, unhappy with the TMC rule for the last 15 years and then came out attacking Abhishek Banerjee.

[00:23:08]Could this have been averted? Is this not a law Is this not a law and order situation that should have been taken care of uh in a much better fashion? And again, the very simple question, the bottom line, what difference do we see between the TMC and the BJP on the ground if the situation such today continues to be the same?

[00:23:36]>> Is that for me, Mega?

[00:23:37]>> Yeah, this is for you, yes.

[00:23:39]>> Well, the BJP has just taken over.

[00:23:43]You cannot control mass hysteria.

[00:23:47]Please understand, assuming that this was the making of BJP supporters or workers is unjustified. The naysayers are jumping to conclusions and I do not agree with them.

[00:23:59]>> Okay.

[00:24:00]>> Everything is so recent. Memories so warm and fresh.

[00:24:03]>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT. BI- BIPIN Bipin Sharma, I I have very little time. I'm going to get other other people also into the conversation. Radhika, I I got what you wanted to say, your perspective. But But Bipin, let's let's hear it from you with regards to mass hysteria cannot be controlled and law and order cannot be restored when there are people in massive numbers with the pent-up anger as BJP as as Radhika at this point in time is claiming. How do you How do you react to that?

[00:24:35]>> Me?

[00:24:40]>> Uh so, Mega, while this particular incident, what has happened today in Sonarpur, cannot be justified. It cannot be justified as the new normal because we must not forget THAT RULE FOR ONE, RULE FOR ALL. SO, if uh action needs to BE UNDERTAKEN, STERN ACTION NEEDS TO BE UNDERTAKEN against all those guilty.

[00:25:01]Equally, the action needs to be undertaken against all those who were insinuating violence and who were none other than the Prime Minister. Just imagine, people were talking JUST TO STAY RELEVANT, SOME POLITICIANS. They were saying that the Prime Minister, there would be ATTACKS ON THE PRIME MINISTER. SO, HOW CAN THAT BE JUSTIFIED?

[00:25:21]>> KNOW. I MEAN, I DON'T YOU KNOW, I JUST I I I am just right now talking about this particular incident. So, let's let's just let's just focus our con- conversation on this particular incident and particularly in West Bengal, the kind of precedent that has been set for for decades together. And we know that in West Bengal, there there is there is there is violence that seems to be the order of the day.

[00:25:43]But with the BJP, is there a churn that is happening? Has that churn already started? Or are we going to just see a change in government? A new political party coming to power in West Bengal, but everything continues to remain the same. That's the point that I'm trying to make. Manashwi, let's hear it from you.

[00:25:58]>> Uh, Mega, that is what I am I have been telling. I think there is no change. BJP is just a TMC with a new new new shirt and new new trousers. Else, nothing has changed. And now now now what I hear from the BJP spokesperson is there is mass hysteria. We cannot control it.

[00:26:13]Give us chance. We cannot control it.

[00:26:15]What is the BJP spokesperson person saying? The memory is fresh. We cannot control it. So, you cannot control law and order while the law and order is in your hand. While the people voted for you because people believe that there would be good governance with you. What is happening? You are doing what TMC has done. In fact, you are doing it even further. At least TMC would have would have allowed you to speak. You don't allow the opposition leaders to speak.

[00:26:36]You stone pelting is happening in open in open daylight and you are normalizing that. You logo ka gussa woh hoga. Log ande phenk rahe hain, chalega. So, I can't I can't let that be normalized.

[00:26:47]This is a democracy still. This is a democracy wherein spokesperson could not let this kind of fury be cultivated as a mass fury or a mass hysteria.

[00:26:56]>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. OKAY. GAUTAM, I HAVE I have another 30 seconds.

[00:27:01]Let me let me get Gautam into the conversation before I wrap this up.

[00:27:06]>> Uh is that for me now?

[00:27:07]>> Yeah. Yes.

[00:27:09]>> And look, I am not crying any tears over Abhishek Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee being attacked. It is totally appropriate considering the reign of terror that they have run for 15 years.

[00:27:27]If this is happening, it is happening.

[00:27:29]So be it.

[00:27:30]>> No, but okay. Okay. All right. But are you saying then our law and order agencies are completely futile? That they are helpless or at this point of time just bystanders to this violence, the incident that has erupted earlier today?

[00:27:45]And are you saying I I are you at this point of time saying that mob justice is okay? Are you at this point of time saying that a person irrespective of whether what crime they may have committed, whether they have murdered anybody or looted anybody or amassed huge wealth uh by way of corruption or extortion or any such illegal means possible, it's fair game to uh I don't know put them at the center of the street and on this on on on the on the on the town square and and lynch them and kill them and and heckle them and use any means possible uh just because people are angry. Is is this what you're saying?

[00:28:26]>> What I am saying is Abhishek Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee need to be very careful. One is just the head of a party, the other is a simple MP with MP security. I don't >> I think the security of every single individual including Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee is the onus of the law and order agencies in that particular region and this is shameful and act that has happened whether it is the TMC or the BJP or a Congress or a left leader or a worker or an ordinary person. This act cannot be justified. This is illegal and it is shameful that if there are people who are coming out and justifying it for whatever reasons or whatever may have happened for whatever these leaders may have done or may not have done does not justify the violence that has erupted against Abhishek Banerjee today. I'm out of time. I thank all of you for joining me on the telecast and thanks for watching News X.