Abhishek Banerjee Hospitalised After Attack During Sonarpur Visit Amid Post-Poll Violence Row

Kolkata, May 2026 : Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee was admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata on Saturday evening after being heckled and allegedly assaulted during a visit to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district, where he had gone to meet the family of a party worker reportedly killed in post-poll violence.

Banerjee was brought back to Kolkata under security escort after tensions escalated in Sonarpur, where large groups of local residents staged protests against his visit. Visuals from the hospital showed the Trinamool Congress leader entering the facility in a wheelchair before undergoing medical examination and treatment.

Following reports of the attack, Trinamool Congress supremo and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the hospital and went directly to the emergency unit, where Banerjee was being examined by a team of doctors. She was accompanied by Abhishek Banerjee’s mother, Lata Banerjee.

Several senior Trinamool Congress leaders also gathered at the hospital to express solidarity and monitor his condition. Among those present were Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, former Minister of State for Finance (Independent Charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya, and Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party leader Derek O’Brien.

Earlier in the day, Banerjee had travelled to Sonarpur to meet the family members of a slain Trinamool Congress worker who was reportedly a victim of post-election violence. However, his arrival triggered widespread protests, particularly from groups of women who had assembled in the area.

According to reports from the scene, protesters shouted slogans against the Trinamool Congress leader, accusing him of various grievances. The demonstrations soon turned confrontational, with some protesters allegedly throwing eggs and physically pushing and slapping Banerjee. After being struck by eggs, he reportedly wore a cricket helmet to protect himself while continuing his visit.

Despite the hostile reception, Banerjee proceeded to the residence of the deceased party worker, where he met family members and expressed support.

As the situation remained tense, personnel from the West Bengal Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) escorted him out of the area. During his departure, protesters lined both sides of the road, continuing to raise slogans and voice their opposition.

The incident has intensified the political confrontation in West Bengal, with Mamata Banerjee directly blaming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the state government for the attack. In a social media statement, she condemned the incident and accused political opponents of orchestrating violence against opposition leaders.

The attack on Abhishek Banerjee has sparked a fresh political controversy, with the Trinamool Congress alleging a breakdown of law and order and demanding accountability for the incident.