Kunal Ghosh's car attacked in Hooghly en route to Mamata rally in Serampore
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh on Saturday, 26 September 2026, alleged that his vehicle was attacked and vandalised in the Uttarpara area of Hooghly district while he was travelling to attend a public meeting by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Serampore. According to Ghosh, a group of miscreants stopped his car and pelted it with stones and eggs, before striking the windows with iron rods, shattering the rear windshield and sending glass fragments into the cabin.
What Kunal Ghosh Said
Kunal Ghosh described the attack in stark terms. 'I was sitting next to the driver. Stones were thrown at me. My body was filled full of glass shards,' he said. He alleged the assailants repeatedly shouted at him to turn back and not attend Mamata Banerjee's rally, suggesting the attack was a deliberate attempt to prevent his participation in the meeting. Ghosh further alleged that the police failed to act despite the perpetrators remaining in the vicinity, and announced that he would travel to Bhabani Bhavan, the West Bengal Police headquarters in Kolkata, to formally flag the incident.
Mamata Banerjee Condemns the Attack
Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the alleged assault before departing for the Serampore meeting. She attributed the attack to 'BJP goons' and described it as unacceptable in a democracy. Ghosh himself echoed the claim, alleging that the attackers were backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He asserted, however, that such incidents would not deter Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters from attending party events.
BJP Denies Involvement, Blames TMC Factionalism
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Rahul Sinha flatly rejected the allegations, stating that the BJP had no connection with the episode. Sinha claimed the incident was more likely a product of internal factional rivalry within the Trinamool Congress rather than any BJP-orchestrated action. The competing narratives mean the episode is likely to become a flashpoint in an already charged political climate in West Bengal.
Context and Political Backdrop
The alleged attack occurred amid heightened political activity in Hooghly district ahead of the Serampore public rally, a key mobilisation event for the TMC. Political violence and counter-allegations between the TMC and BJP have been a recurring feature of West Bengal's political landscape, particularly in the lead-up to major rallies. This incident follows a pattern of road-side confrontations reported in the state during high-profile political gatherings. Notably, the Uttarpara-Serampore corridor has previously witnessed politically motivated incidents around election cycles. The police have not issued any immediate statement on the alleged attack.
What Happens Next
Kunal Ghosh has indicated he will file a complaint at Bhabani Bhavan, potentially escalating the matter to a formal police investigation. Whether the West Bengal Police registers a case and identifies those responsible will be closely watched by both parties. The incident is expected to fuel further verbal confrontations between TMC and BJP leaders in the days ahead.