Are the continuous attacks on TMC leaders in Bengal a sign of increasing political violence? Was the attack on Kalyan Banerjee in Chanditala public anger or a planned protest? After Abhishek Banerjee, why was another MP attacked? Do the slogans of “Chor-Chor” reflect anti-incumbency or political conflict?
West Bengal Political Violence: The period of violence and tension in the politics of West Bengal is not showing any signs of stopping. Just 24 hours after the deadly attack on Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday, another senior party MP faced the wrath of an angry mob in Hooghly on Sunday morning.
Second attack, second MP: Bengal shaken again within 24 hours
The echo of the attack of stones and eggs on Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur near Kolkata on Saturday had not yet subsided when Chanditala area of Hooghly turned into a battlefield on Sunday morning. When senior TMC leader and Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee set out on a tour of his own parliamentary constituency, no one had any idea that another horrific incident was about to happen. Suddenly a furious mob of hundreds of people surrounded his convoy. Black flags started fluttering in the wind and the entire area echoed with deafening slogans of “Chor-Chor!” Sensing the situation, the security personnel immediately surrounded the MP from all sides, but the anger of the crowd was at its peak.
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Sudden attack: When Kalyan Banerjee fell on the ground bleeding
The suspense and panic deepened when some unknown objects were thrown towards the MP from the crowd, breaking the security cordon. Amidst this chaos, suddenly a heavy object fell directly on Kalyan Banerjee’s head. According to eyewitnesses present there, the MP groaned in pain as soon as he was hit on the head. He immediately placed both his hands on his head and within no time he collapsed on the ground. The hands and legs of the security personnel swelled and they were hurriedly taken out of the clutches of the crowd and taken to a safe place.
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Well thought out conspiracy or public anger?
This back-to-back attack has created a deep suspense in the political circles of West Bengal. Just a day ago in Sonarpur, Abhishek Banerjee also had to save his life by wearing a cricket helmet amid the furious crowd and today the exact same script was repeated with Kalyan Banerjee. TMC has directly attributed this incident to a deep conspiracy by the opposition parties and a planned attempt to disturb the law and order. On the other hand, analysts believe that the secret behind this spark that erupted after the elections is very sensitive. Whether this attack is a political vendetta or some big public anger growing on the ground, its real truth will be revealed only after the police investigation. But this incident has made it clear that the safety of MPs in Bengal now depends on God.