Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the BJP after visiting her nephew and Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee following an alleged attack on his residence in Kolkata. She also accused the BJP of disrupting traditional Kali Puja celebrations in the Kalighat area.
After meeting Abhishek, Mamata issued a strong challenge to the BJP over the alleged use of bulldozers.
“How many bulldozers do you have? Come, I am standing right in front of you. Run the bulldozers over my body, my chest. I want to see how courageous you are,” she said.
Abhishek Alleges Attack on His Residence
The remarks came hours after Abhishek Banerjee alleged that BJP-backed miscreants attacked his residence on Kalighat Road at around 2 am, following a clash involving supporters of the TMC faction led by Mamata Banerjee.
Describing the incident as a life-threatening attack, the Diamond Harbour MP claimed that his house had been monitored for two days before the incident.
“After two days of continuous recce, this is how BJP hooligans attacked my house at 2 AM today. Watch the footage and see for yourself. If this is what can happen to an elected Member of Parliament, imagine the plight of the common man in WB. This is the seventh attempt on my life in the last six months. Yet, there has been no police action and no judicial intervention,” he wrote in a post on X.
The allegations against the BJP have not been independently established.
Mamata Alleges Disruption of Kali Puja Celebrations
Mamata also accused authorities of obstructing traditional Kali Puja celebrations in Kalighat. She alleged that permissions for some long-standing pujas had been revoked, while a newly organised puja was allowed to be held on the main road.
Questioning the decision, she said the area had traditionally served as a route for Kali Puja processions and asked why celebrations were being restricted ahead of Kali Puja and Diwali. She further alleged that local clubs had been prevented from conducting their activities and accused the BJP of creating disturbances in the locality.
Mamata also questioned why the newly organised puja was being held on the main road instead of its traditional premises, claiming that the arrangement had blocked access to their own celebrations. Reiterating her challenge, the former Chief Minister said she was prepared to face the bulldozers herself rather than allow such actions to continue.
