'Run your bulldozers over us': Mamata slams BJP over clashes outside Abhishek Banerjee's home

Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the BJP of hooliganism following clashes outside the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in Kalighat, south Kolkata. She alleged that the incident was part of an attempt to disrupt local religious celebrations and questioned the permission granted for a Durga Puja pandal on the main road.

At least eight people were allegedly injured in two consecutive clashes between groups in the area during the early hours of Saturday. The incidents took place between 2 am and 3.30 am, according to police officers investigating the matter.

Addressing the media, Mamata alleged that an attack took place around 2 am and accused the authorities of allowing traditional pujas to be disrupted while permitting newly organised celebrations.

“This is our locality, a route through which many processions of Goddess Kali pass. Why are you causing such a disturbance? You have revoked permissions for our traditional, long-standing pujas while allowing new ones to be held instead. Furthermore, you prevented our local clubs from functioning last night... We are part of the 'INDIA' alliance, and this is the reason for their anger…," she was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Mamata accuses BJP of hooliganism

The former chief minister alleged that groups of people had arrived in the locality late at night to create trouble and challenged them over the use of force.

“...There is complete hooliganism going on. People show up here at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning... If you have the courage to use a bulldozer, why do you come here at 3:00 in the morning with a gang of thugs to attack a Kali Puja celebration?.. We are carrying out party-related work here, and you are coming to disrupt it.”

She also objected to a newly organised puja pandal allegedly being set up at a bend on the main road, claiming it blocked access to the traditional celebration. Calling the arrangement illegal, she said, “This is completely illegal... Go ahead—run your bulldozers over us, over our very bodies.”

Clashes reported between TMC workers and BJP supporters

The clashes allegedly involved TMC workers preparing for Abhishek Banerjee's 39th birthday on November 7 and BJP supporters. Police, however, did not identify either party in their account of the incident.

TMC supporters alleged that BJP workers attacked them without provocation. BJP supporters, meanwhile, claimed they were attacked while heading to Kalighat to buy Kali idols from local potters ahead of Sunday's puja.

BJP supporters allegedly raised slogans, including "chor" and "goru chor", and damaged cutouts and banners put up for Abhishek's birthday. Abhishek later alleged that at least eight people were injured, three of them seriously. He also accused BJP workers of attacking his residence and office and alleged that police personnel trying to control the situation were assaulted.