No BJP workers, flags at attack site: Suvendu counters Mamata's claim against party

Suvendu Adhikari said Mamata Banerjee's Z+ security cover remains in place and questioned her visit to a late TMC worker's home without informing police. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, however, alleged BJP workers targeted her convoy with stones and tried to assault her, deepening the political row.CM Suvendu Adhikari and Mamata BanerjeeWest Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday rejected former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's allegations that BJP workers attacked her vehicle in Halisahar, saying he did not see any known BJP faces or party flags at the site.Banerjee faced a hostile reception in Halisahar in North 24 Parganas district while visiting the family of Birju Keot, a TMC worker who allegedly died in police custody. Protesters surrounded her vehicle, raised "chor" (thief) and "dakait rani" (queen of thieves) slogans, and hurled mud, slippers and stones at her car.Banerjee alleged that the attack amounted to a conspiracy and claimed that she had informed the police about her visit but received inadequate security."My car has been attacked with stones, shoes and mud. This is nothing but a conspiracy. I had informed the police that I would be coming, but despite that, no security measures were taken," Banerjee told reporters after reaching the area. She alleged that large bricks were also thrown at her vehicle and said, "My head could have been smashed. I could have died here."Banerjee accused the BJP-led state government of using "goons" to target her and said the police were being used at the behest of the state government. "The police are protecting the lumpens. Bengal has gone into the hands of lumpens," she said, adding that her party would pursue the matter legally.SUVENDU ADHIAKRI QUESTIONS ATTACK ALLEGATIONSCountering Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari said she continues to belong to the Z+ security category and claimed that the state had not withdrawn her security."She belongs to the Z+ security category. We did not withdraw it," Adhikari said.He said the Director of Security and senior officers were present at the location for his security and that he had directly asked them whether there had been any communication regarding Banerjee's visit."They said, 'We had no communication,'" Adhikari said.Adhikari also referred to television footage of the incident and said the police had provided adequate support under the leadership of a senior Deputy Commissioner."From what I have seen in TV footage, under the leadership of a senior Police DC, the police provided proper support. And I did not see any known BJP faces there, nor did I see any party flags," he said.He questioned the circumstances of Banerjee's visit, saying she had gone there on a holiday with a lawyer without informing the police."You went there on a holiday, taking a lawyer along to play politics without informing the police," Adhikari said.He claimed that the police had nevertheless made extensive arrangements and said it was "questionable" whether Banerjee currently fell under the security category.However, Adhikari said authorities had been instructed to provide her with security and respect because she had served as chief minister for 15 years and was elderly."We have instructions: she was a former Chief Minister for 15 years, and she is elderly. Complete security and respect should be accorded to her as far as possible. The police did that job; they did nothing wrong," he said.SUVENDU ADHIAKRI CITES VICTIM'S FAMILYAdhikari also questioned Banerjee's attempt to intervene in the case of Birju Keot, saying the victim's family had expressed satisfaction with the administration and police and wanted the circumstances of his death investigated.Keot, the husband of former Kanchrapara municipal councillor Jeni Sharma Keot, had been arrested by Halisahar police in connection with allegations including extortion. He was produced before a court on Friday, which remanded him in police custody for five days. His death was reported on Saturday.His wife alleged that he was beaten inside the lock-up and died as a result of police assault. There was no immediate response from the police to the allegation.Adhikari said the family members had stated that they had not invited anyone and did not want anyone to get involved. He said the family wanted the mystery surrounding Keot's death to be unravelled and sought justice through the local government and police.According to Adhikari, the family had said they were satisfied with the administration and police and wanted justice over Keot's death. He also claimed that the family had alleged that CPM workers beat Keot while he was in custody.Adhikari criticised Banerjee for allegedly attempting to enter the house despite the family's reluctance."I would tell her: when the family members are shutting the door on you, and you are saying, 'No, I will break open the door and enter,' please do not do such things," he said.He added that Banerjee should intervene if people sought her assistance, but should not undertake visits that disrupt normal public life while development work was underway."If someone asks for your assistance or wants your intervention, you should certainly extend it. But unnecessarily, at a time when development work is underway, please do not go anywhere or do anything that disrupts normal public life," Adhikari said.He also mocked Banerjee over her allegations, saying, "And when so much theft has taken place, thieves are bound to shout. From now on, use those earplugs that people wear when flying in helicopters. Use them so you won't have to hear the thieves shouting."Adhikari further said there were no BJP flags or workers at the site and took a swipe at Banerjee over her political record."There were no BJP flags, nor were there any BJP workers," he said.He suggested that Banerjee should instead have visited the parents of "Abhaya" and apologised to them."Amid such a massive public outcry, you could have gone to Abhaya's house today to seek forgiveness. You could have gone with a gamcha (towel) around your neck and said with folded hands to Abhaya's Parents, 'I have made a mistake, please forgive me.' I believe they might have forgiven you or maybe not, I don't know," Adhikari said.TMC ALLEGES ATTEMPTED MURDERTMC MP Kalyan Banerjee strongly contested Adhikari's version of events and alleged that BJP workers attacked Mamata Banerjee's vehicle.Kalyan Banerjee said the TMC delegation had gone to the residence of the deceased worker and claimed that the BJP workers began throwing large stones at Banerjee's car before the delegation reached the spot."Today, we went to the residence of the victim TMC worker who had a custodial death. He was picked up in a case where in the FIR his name was not there," Kalyan Banerjee said.He alleged that stones were thrown at Banerjee's vehicle and claimed that she was nearly assaulted."Stones were thrown and then Didi was about to be assaulted. Stones were targeted at Mamata Didi... The stones were thrown to kill her. It is an attempt to murder case," he alleged.Kalyan Banerjee further claimed that hundreds of BJP workers were present and accused the police of remaining silent."Hundreds of BJP workers were there and police were a silent spectator," he said, adding, "Of course there was a direction given by the CM Suvendu Adhikari.- EndsPublished By: Akshat TrivediPublished On: Aug 9, 2026 20:10 IST