Abhishek Banerjee attacked in Sonarpur, hospitalised after stones and eggs hurled during visit

Abhishek Banerjee was attacked during a visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal on Saturday, where he had gone to meet families affected by post-poll violence. Eggs, stones and bricks were allegedly hurled at the Trinamool Congress leader as BJP workers raised slogans against him, forcing security personnel to escort him away wearing a helmet.

Banerjee was later admitted to Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals for treatment. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited him at the hospital.

The TMC accused BJP supporters of carrying out a planned attack. Visuals from the scene showed security personnel surrounding Banerjee as tensions escalated.

“They threw a brick, threw an egg and pelted stones. We have all the video evidence,” Banerjee told reporters, alleging that “goons” had been assembled in a nearby community hall before the attack.

Calling the incident “BJP-sponsored”, Banerjee claimed the attackers intended to kill him and said he would approach the courts and the Governor over the matter. “My head was somehow spared because I was wearing a helmet. They have torn my clothes and broken my spectacles,” he said.

The TMC leader also alleged an absence of police personnel despite advance intimation about his visit. He initially refused to leave the area, saying he would stay until adequate security arrangements were made for the family he had come to meet.

Police and central forces later reached the spot and escorted Banerjee to safety.

Reacting sharply, Mamata Banerjee posted on X: “Rulers became killers — shame on you BJP.”

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien alleged that Banerjee’s life had been put at risk and questioned why security arrangements were inadequate.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also condemned the attack, describing it as shocking and alleging that the lack of adequate police protection for a prominent Opposition leader reflected the BJP’s “politics of vendetta and persecution”.