Mamata shifts Abhishek Banerjee to new hospital, alleges BJP interference
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee was shifted to a second private hospital in Kolkata on 30 May after his aunt and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged he was being denied proper treatment at the first facility — and indirectly accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the state government of instructing hospital authorities to withhold care. The move came hours after Abhishek was heckled, physically assaulted, and had eggs thrown at him during a visit to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district.
How the Hospital Drama Unfolded
Following the Sonarpur incident, Abhishek Banerjee was first brought to the emergency unit of a private hospital near the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. Mamata Banerjee arrived shortly after, accompanied by Abhishek's mother Lata Banerjee, and went directly to the emergency ward where he was undergoing preliminary checks.
Within 30 minutes of her arrival, Mamata left the premises with her nephew — seated in a wheelchair and still wearing the hospital's patient apron. She told reporters outside: 'We are shifting Abhishek from here. He is not receiving proper treatment here. Probably this is because of some instructions from any higher authority.'
Abhishek was subsequently admitted to a second private hospital at Minto Park in central Kolkata. The first hospital did not offer any counter-comment on the allegations.
The Sonarpur Attack: What Happened
Abhishek Banerjee had travelled to Sonarpur to meet the families of slain TMC workers, reportedly victims of post-poll violence. He was met with large-scale protests, led primarily by local women, who physically assaulted and slapped him and threw eggs at him. To shield his head, he was forced to put on a cricket helmet.
He did manage to reach the residence of the slain party worker and speak with the family. However, he was subsequently escorted out of the area by West Bengal Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. Even during the escort, protesters lined both sides of the road, shouting slogans and calling Abhishek a 'thief.'
Mamata Banerjee's Allegations Against BJP
Beyond the hospital allegation, Mamata Banerjee issued a social media post directly blaming the BJP and the state government for orchestrating the Sonarpur incident. The post represents a sharp escalation in the political war of words between the TMC and the BJP in West Bengal.
The BJP has not issued an immediate on-record response to the hospital-interference allegation or the social media post, according to available reports.
Political Context and What Comes Next
This is the latest flashpoint in the ongoing post-poll tensions in West Bengal, where both the TMC and BJP have traded accusations of violence against each other's workers. The incident at Sonarpur — where a senior TMC leader was publicly confronted and assaulted by protesters — is notably unusual and points to deepening local discontent, critics argue.
The episode will likely intensify scrutiny of law and order in the state and could prompt further political and legal action. Abhishek Banerjee's condition and the nature of his injuries had not been officially detailed as of the latest reports.