Mamata Banerjee alleges a planned midnight attack on Abhishek's residence, accuses the BJP and police of intimidation and threatens Supreme Court intervention.
Kolkata: A midnight attack on a political leader's residence has triggered a fresh confrontation in West Bengal, with former chief minister Mamata Banerjee accusing the BJP and the police of orchestrating an act of intimidation against the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Threatening legal action, Mamata said she would approach the Supreme Court over what she described as a disturbing breakdown of law and order.
On Saturday, Mamata was on her way to visit the residence of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee following an alleged attack in the early hours of the day.
She claimed that BJP supporters, accompanied by police personnel, had targeted homes in the middle of the night and alleged that the incident was not spontaneous but carefully planned.
Questioning the circumstances surrounding the incident, she said, 'At 2 am or 3 am, BJP lumpens, along with the police, are attacking people's homes. Why are you bringing lumpens and attacking homes in the middle of the night?'
Mamata also appealed to people opposed to the BJP, particularly women, to speak up against what she alleged was a growing atmosphere of harassment and political intimidation.
The TMC chief's accusations extended beyond Abhishek's residence. She alleged that police personnel had blocked the lane leading to her Kalighat residence and the Patuapara locality, disrupting preparations for Kali Puja. According to her, prohibitory restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were preventing residents and others from carrying out their regular activities.
Pointing to the significance of Patuapara, known for its idol-making activities, she questioned the police restrictions as preparations for the festivities were underway.
'Our puja is going on at home. Work needs to be done, but the police are blocking the lane. This is Patuapara, where goddesses are made. Why are you preventing people from carrying out their activities?' she said.
She further alleged that the deployment of a substantial police contingent and the restrictions around Kalighat were politically motivated, aimed at disrupting Kali Puja and Diwali celebrations.
In a direct warning to the police, Mamata urged officers not to act at the behest of political interests. While acknowledging the pressure personnel face, she cautioned them against exceeding their authority.
'I know what your capacity is and how much promotion you will get, but do not cross your limits. If you cross the limits, I will fight you,' she said.
She also accused the BJP of deploying money and the police machinery to target political rivals, warning that continued intimidation could provoke wider public resentment.
Earlier, Abhishek had alleged that BJP workers attacked his residence at around 2 am after conducting reconnaissance of the premises for two days. He also shared CCTV footage on social media, claiming that the individuals involved were BJP supporters.
The allegations have added another flashpoint to the political confrontation between the TMC and the BJP, with Mamata now threatening to take the matter to the country's highest court.