Opposition Leaders Decry BJP’s ‘Politics of Revenge’ Following Attack on TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee

Opposition leaders condemned the attack on TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, labeling it as a manifestation of the BJP’s “politics of revenge.” During a visit to Sonarpur, where he intended to meet the family of a slain TMC worker, Banerjee faced a hostile mob that hurled stones and abuses at him. He managed to escape, aided by aides and press members, before being escorted to safety by police forces. Mamata Banerjee denounced the incident, accusing the BJP of transforming into “killers,” while Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted the failure to provide adequate security for an Opposition figure as indicative of the BJP’s vendetta politics.

Rahul Gandhi strongly criticized the attack, stating that violence against an elected official undermines democracy and the will of the people. He called for immediate action from both the central and state governments to ensure the safety of public representatives, emphasizing that political differences should not resort to violence. The TMC maintained that the BJP’s lax enforcement of law and order had led to such premeditated assaults, reflecting a deterioration in societal norms since the BJP’s rise to power in West Bengal.

Several political leaders across parties expressed concern about the growing climate of intimidation and violence linked to BJP governance. AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of fostering a culture of fear, while members from the Congress branded the attack as an example of the BJP’s politics of hate. Although BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya condemned the attack, he distanced the party from involvement, suggesting that there are deeper societal grievances at play. The incident underscores the escalating political tension in West Bengal and raises significant concerns about the overall safety and security of political figures in the region.