West Bengal political tensions escalated on Sunday after stones, mud and shoes were allegedly thrown at former chief minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee’s car in Halisahar, North 24 Parganas.
Banerjee was visiting the area to meet the family of TMC worker Birju Keot, who died in police custody on Saturday. She remained unharmed during the incident.
Mamata Banerjee says attack was planned
The incident took place as Banerjee’s vehicle moved through a police cordon amid protests by local residents. Demonstrators reportedly raised slogans including “go back” and “thief”.
According to the report, the protesters said they were local residents and were not carrying political party flags. Some claimed they were angry because Banerjee had not visited the area while she was in power.
Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being behind the incident.
“We would have died if any of the stones had hit us,” Banerjee said, alleging that the attack was planned to prevent her from meeting the family of the deceased TMC worker.
However, the BJP rejected the allegation.
BJP condemns attack, denies involvement
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya said party workers were not involved in the incident but condemned the attack.
He said people could protest or raise slogans, but throwing objects at a former chief minister’s vehicle was unacceptable.
West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul also condemned the incident and said anyone responsible should face action.
The incident has intensified the political confrontation between the TMC and BJP in the state.
TMC leader calls it a conspiracy
TMC Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee alleged that the incident amounted to an attempt to harm Mamata Banerjee and questioned the role of the state administration.
He also demanded the resignation of the director general of police.
The BJP, however, maintained that the incident reflected public anger rather than an organised attack by its workers.
Why was Mamata Banerjee in Halisahar?
Banerjee had travelled to Halisahar following the death of Birju Keot, a local TMC leader who died after being taken into police custody.
Keot was arrested following a complaint filed by a woman on August 1. Police said he had been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Indian Arms Act, including allegations related to cheating, assault and outraging the modesty of a woman.
Keot’s family has alleged that he was assaulted inside the police station.
His wife, Jenny Sharma Keot, claimed that she met him at the police station at around 9pm after he returned from a medical examination and found him fit at the time.
She later alleged that he was beaten inside the police station and that his body had visible injuries.
Police said Keot fell ill on Saturday morning and was taken to JNM Hospital in Kalyani, Nadia district, where doctors declared him dead.
Judicial inquiry ordered
A senior Barrackpore city police officer said a judicial magistrate had been asked to conduct an inquiry into Keot’s death.
The allegations surrounding his death, followed by the confrontation during Banerjee’s visit, have added to political tensions in West Bengal.
The competing claims over the attack and the circumstances of Keot’s death are likely to remain a major political issue as authorities investigate the matter.
