West Bengal BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Saturday, 7 November 2026 sharply dismissed Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee's allegation that his Kalighat Road residence in Kolkata was attacked in the early hours of the morning, questioning who would have the motivation to target the leader. Ghosh's remarks came as Banerjee staged a sit-in protest that triggered a heated standoff with Kolkata Police.

What Ghosh Said

'If they create havoc there at night, someone will surely counter it. And who has the time to kill Abhishek Banerjee?' Ghosh said, responding directly to the allegations. His comments were widely seen as deflecting responsibility while implying that the unrest outside Banerjee's residence was provoked from within. Ghosh did not condemn the alleged stone-pelting or address the specific charge that BJP supporters were involved.

Banerjee's Allegation and the Sit-In

Abhishek Banerjee, a prominent TMC leader and nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleged that BJP supporters attacked his residence at around 2 a.m. on Saturday and pelted stones at the house. He described the incident as the seventh alleged attempt on his life in the past six months — a claim that, if accurate, would point to an alarming pattern of political violence in the state. Banerjee also alleged that BJP supporters had been conducting continuous reconnaissance of his residence for two days before the incident.

Following the alleged attack, Banerjee staged a sit-in protest that led to a confrontation between him, his supporters, and Kolkata Police. Officers reportedly intervened to bring the situation under control. Banerjee additionally accused the judiciary of failing to act despite what he described as repeated threats to his life — an unusually sharp charge against the courts from a sitting MP.

The Political Background

The incident comes amid escalating tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and TMC in West Bengal, where reports of late-night clashes between supporters of the two parties have surfaced with increasing frequency. The clash outside Banerjee's residence follows a broader pattern of political confrontations in the state that have drawn national attention. Notably, allegations of violence targeting political figures have been a recurring flashpoint in Bengal's fractured political landscape.

Ghosh on Rahul Gandhi's Debate Challenge

Separately, Ghosh also responded to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's public call for a debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'Rahul Gandhi has never debated to date. He neither gives a chance to ask questions in front of the Press, nor does he face any questions in Parliament. He just gives his speech and leaves. Who will debate with him today, who has the time? You can debate among yourselves, with your INDIA Bloc partners,' Ghosh said.

Gandhi, in a post on X, had challenged Modi to pick any stage or venue to publicly debate allegations of anti-national activities and alleged connections with foreign forces, stating: '24 hours have passed, Modi ji. I challenged you. You say that the Opposition is anti-national. Pick any stage, any venue, and debate me. Who is the anti-national? Who has connections with foreign forces? And what kind of connections are they? Do it as soon as possible — don't be afraid.'

What Happens Next

With Banerjee's sit-in protest drawing media and political attention, the incident is expected to intensify scrutiny of law and order in West Bengal. The TMC is likely to escalate the issue politically, while the BJP has effectively brushed off the allegations. Whether Kolkata Police file any case in connection with the alleged stone-pelting remains to be seen.