In West Bengal's Hooghly district, a vehicle carrying Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh came under attack by a group of people on Saturday. The legislator was on his way to attend a political rally addressed by party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Serampore. As his vehicle moved through the Shokher Bazar area in Uttarpara, individuals intercepted the car, hurled eggs at it, and targeted it with heavy stone-pelting, creating a tense atmosphere in the locality.
Details of the Attack and Damage Sustained
Kunal Ghosh stated that the assault shattered both the front and rear windshields of his vehicle. He also claimed that he sustained an injury to his shoulder during the commotion. A video capturing the incident surfaced publicly, showing a dense crowd gathered around his automobile. Ghosh alleged that the attackers possessed sharp weapons and attempted to take his life. Furthermore, he expressed grievance that local law enforcement failed to provide timely assistance while the incident was unfolding.
Police Headquarters Visit and Formal Complaint
Following the episode, Ghosh abandoned his journey to the rally and headed back toward Kolkata. Around 3:30 PM, he arrived at the police headquarters located at Bhabani Bhavan. He informed reporters that he formally registered his grievance by sending a detailed email complaint to the Director General of Police. Questioning the prevailing law and order situation in the state, he emphasized that such aggressive assaults must not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Mamata Banerjee Condemns the Incident
Party chief Mamata Banerjee reacted sharply to the development, describing it as an ominous sign for democracy. She alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party was desperately trying to sabotage the TMC rally by any means possible. Highlighting that official permission for the public meeting had been secured from the High Court nearly 15 days prior, she questioned the mistreatment of political opponents and termed such aggressive acts a serious threat to democratic norms.
BJP Rejects Allegations and Cites Internal Feud
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party firmly rejected the accusations leveled by the MLA. BJP leader Rahul Sinha dismissed the episode as a fallout of the ruling party's internal factionalism. Local BJP MLA Dipanjan Chakraborty also criticized the TMC, asserting that the general public in Bengal has rejected Mamata Banerjee. He claimed that the state is currently witnessing an environment of peace and development, while accusing the ruling leadership of trying to manufacture political instability. However, he also described the demonstration as a democratic form of protest.
