Mamata Banerjee's convoy attacked: TMC's charge, BJP's defence

The violence comes within weeks of a mob targeting Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee, indicating the growing political tensions following the TMC's electoral defeatFormer chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s convoy came under attack in Halishahar in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas on August 9 while she was travelling to meet the family of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker whose alleged death in police custody has triggered a political confrontation.Protesters reportedly surrounded Mamata’s vehicle, smeared mud on the car and threw water bottles, shoes and stones at the convoy. Slogans targeting the TMC chief were also raised as police personnel tried to clear the protesters and escort her convoy out of the area.Mamata alleged large stones were thrown at her vehicle in the presence of police personnel. “Anti-socials threw stones at my car in front of the police. Had the windows not been shut, it could have split my head open. I could have died. I have never faced such an attack. The police did nothing to protect us. They give protection only to the BJP,” she said.The former chief minister was travelling to meet the family of Birju Keot, the husband of former Kanchrapara municipality councillor Jenny Sharma. Keot was arrested on extortion-related charges and sent to police custody by a court last week. He was taken to hospital after his health deteriorated and declared dead. His wife has alleged that Keot was tortured in police custody. Police, however, have maintained that he suffered a heart attack. The allegations surrounding his death have become a fresh flashpoint between the ruling BJP and the TMC.TMC leaders accompanying Mamata strongly condemned the attack on the convoy and blamed BJP workers for it.Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee described the incident as an attempt to kill Mamata and alleged that police personnel failed to intervene. "Stones were thrown to assault Mamata Banerjee... The stones were thrown to kill her. It is a case of attempt to murder. Hundreds of BJP workers were there and police were a silent spectator... Of course there was a direction from chief minister Suvendu Adhikari,” he alleged. “Suvendu Adhikari is running the show using the police.”Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen, who was also travelling with Mamata, criticised the administration over the incident.The BJP has rejected the allegations and condemned the attack. West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the party had no role in the violence and maintained that those responsible should face action. He said such incidents were unacceptable and damaged the state’s image.Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul condemned the incident while criticising Mamata’s political record. “We do not endorse this... If anyone is carrying out such acts while claiming to represent the BJP, they are in the wrong,” she said.Paul said that assaulting or manhandling political opponents could not be justified and added that anyone involved in such behaviour in the BJP’s name should not be associated with the party.Adhikari accused Mamata of attempting to enter the bereaved family’s residence despite their reported reluctance to meet her. He said the family wanted the circumstances surrounding Keot’s death to be established and argued that the administration, rather than Mamata, was responsible for addressing the issue.“The family members had already said they were satisfied with the administration; they simply want the mystery resolved and a determination made as to whether he died from a beating while in police custody or due to illness. It is the administration—not Mamata Banerjee—that can address this,” the chief minister said.“The police had made substantial security arrangements even though it is doubtful whether Mamata Banerjee even receives that level of security now. We have instructions to provide her full security given that she is a former chief minister and elderly; the police acted correctly in providing that protection. However, I would ask her: when the family members are shutting the door on you, why do you insist on going there?” charged Adhikari.On August 10, the chief minister visited Keot’s home and announced a government job would be extended to his wife.The police have not yet responded to the allegations of custodial torture surrounding Keot’s death. The confrontation in Halishahar comes weeks after another attack involving Mamata’s nephew and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, adding to the growing political tensions in Bengal following the party’s electoral defeat.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsPublished On: Aug 10, 2026 17:37 IST