Nadda’s convoy attacked in Bengal, Centre seeks report

Tribune News Service
Kolkata, December 10

The convoy of BJP chief JP Nadda was attacked by TMC supporters in West Bengal, leaving several people injured, party leaders and eyewitnesses said.

Nadda was on his way to attend a programme in the parliamentary constituency of Abhishek Banerjee, TMC MP, who also happens to be the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and widely believed to be her successor.

Didi claims violence staged

• West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee insinuated that the attack on the BJP president was staged.
• “Every day, they (BJP activists) come out for rallies with firearms. They slap themselves and blame it on the Trinamool Congress. Just imagine they are roaming around with the BSF, CRPF, Army, CISF....then why are you so scared,” she said.
• Her nephew and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, in whose constituency the attack took place, however, claimed it was an outpouring of public anger.

Cars that were part of the BJP president’s convoy were pelted with stones, large enough to inflict major damage. The most serious attack on the cavalcade took place at Shirakol, located on the road to Daimond Harbour. The front and rear windscreens and windowpanes of a number of vehicles were damaged in the attack.

The Centre has sought a report from the West Bengal Government over the alleged "serious security lapses" during the visit of Nadda to the state, as Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the attack "sponsored violence", and alleged that the state has "descended into an era of tyranny and anarchy" under the Trinamool rule. BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya’s vehicle was also rained with stones. His hand was wounded. Even, Nadda’s vehicle was not spared though the BJP chief managed to escape unhurt.

Abhishek Banerjee, who addressed a rally at Arambag, said the attack on Nadda’s convoy was a spontaneous reaction of masses. Banerjee said people who suffered a lot during the lockdown were angry with the BJP because their leaders did not show up when the common man needed help.

“What happened to Nadda’s convoy today was an expression of the pent-up anger of common people,” the TMC youth wing leader said. Addressing fishermen at Diamond Harbour, Nadda said: “Intolerance and lawlessness had become synonymous with West Bengal.” The BJP chief said because of “Ma Durga’s blessings”, he escaped unhurt. “The TMC wants to choke democracy. The Mamata-led government is not going to last,” Nadda said. The BJP leader asserted the days of the TMC government are numbered. West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar also expressed concern over the attack. Agencies