BJP MP, MLA attacked in flood-hit Dooars, PM says ‘outright appalling’, CM hits back

“The manner in which our Party colleagues, including a sitting MP and MLA, were attacked in West Bengal for serving the people affected by floods and landslides is outright appalling. It highlights the insensitivity of the TMC as well as the absolutely pathetic law and order situation in the state,” the PM posted on X, hours after the attack that left the BJP MP from Malda Uttar severely injured.

“I wish the West Bengal Government and TMC were more focused on helping people rather than indulging in violence in such a challenging situation. I call upon BJP Karyakartas to continue working among the people and assist the ongoing rescue operations,” the PM added.
Within minutes, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reacted to the PM’s remark, accusing him of politicising a natural disaster.

“It is unfortunate and deeply concerning that the Prime Minister of India has chosen to politicise a natural disaster without waiting for a proper investigation, especially while people in North Bengal are grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods and landslides. The PM has blamed the TMC and the West Bengal Government outright without a shred of verified evidence, legal inquiry, or administrative report. This is not just a political low, it is a breach of the constitutional ethos the Prime Minister has sworn to uphold. In any democracy, the law must take its own course, and only due process can determine culpability – not a tweet from a political pulpit,” the CM posted on X.

“The incident occurred in a constituency where the people themselves have elected a BJP MLA. Yet the Prime Minister sees no contradiction in painting the incident as a reflection of TMC’s so-called “strongmanship.” Such sweeping, unsubstantiated generalisations are not only immature, but also, they are unbecoming of the highest office in the land,” she said.

Meanwhile, BJP MP and union minister Sukanta Majumdar alleged that the mob attacked the party leaders in the “presence of the Mamata-police”

“Coming from a Prime Minister who visited Manipur only 964 days after it was engulfed in ethnic violence, the sudden concern for Bengal appears less like empathy and more like opportunistic political theatre,” the TMC supremo added.

Earlier in the day, videos of the incident showed a mob hurling stones at the convoy of the BJP leaders and chanting ‘go away BJP’. The vehicle’s windshield was smashed, and Murmu was seen bleeding from the head.

Speaking to mediapersons, BJP MLA Ghosh, who too has been admitted to a private hospital in Siliguri along with Murmu, described the attack as “horrifying”.

“It was around 1 pm when we were visiting the area. Murmu and I got out of the car and started overseeing the damage caused by floods and heavy rains. Suddenly, a mob surrounded us. They said they were Didi’s sainik and asked what we were doing there. We said we are Modi-ji’s sainik… They started abusing us, then attacked from behind. Khagen Da was hit on the head, and I barely escaped by ducking inside the seat. Khagen Da’s security immediately put us both in the car,” Ghosh said, alleging that the mob comprised of TMC supporters.

“There is nothing left of the car. My entire body is covered with glass shards. Murmu was bleeding profusely,” he added.

The condition of both the MP and MLA is reported to be out of danger.

Accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of “orchestrating” the attack, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said: “Mamata Banerjee is in full panic mode. She has realised it quite late that the people of West Bengal despised her inhuman act of dancing at Puja Carnival with celebrities when North Bengal was reeling under floods and landslides.”

Adhikari was referring to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee taking part in Puja Carnival in Kolkata on Sunday evening, hours after rain and landslides killed more than 20 people in the Darjeeling hills.

“In contrast, BJP MLAs and MPs were on the ground, doing their bit to provide relief to the affected people. So, she has now pressed the panic button and has unleashed her goons to stop our leaders from engaging in relief work… Mamata Banerjee, you can’t intimidate BJP…” Adhikari wrote on X.

Meanwhile, BJP MP and union minister Sukanta Majumdar alleged that the mob attacked the party leaders in the “presence of the Mamata-police”.

“Failed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who, even after receiving news yesterday of the catastrophic devastation in North Bengal and the tragic loss of many lives, was seen celebrating the Puja Carnival stage. She has clearly shown how fearful she has become of the BJP’s workers and leaders who have been tirelessly conducting rescue and relief operations on the ground since yesterday… From yesterday until today, the people of Bengal will punish every one of your immoral and inhuman acts of brutality. Shame!”, he posted.

Responding to the allegations, senior TMC leader and North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha called the incident “self-inflicted.”

“First of all, we do not support any form of violence. But whatever happened today is the BJP’s own doing. At a time when people are suffering, BJP leaders arrived with a convoy of 10-plus cars just for photo-ops without a single relief item. Local people got agitated. This is the result of the BJP’s misdeeds. You deprive people first and then visit for optics,” Guha said.

In her tweet, the chief minister also accused the BJP leaders of the same. “When the entire local administration and police are engrossed in relief and rescue operations, the BJP leaders chose to go to the affected areas with a large convoy of cars and under the security cover of the central forces, and that too without any information to the local police and administration. How can the state administration, local police, or the TMC be blamed for the incident?” she stated.

“It’s also evident that the BJP is resorting to the tired North Bengal vs South Bengal narrative, hoping to polarise people ahead of elections. Yes, we all condemn violence, unequivocally. But this is not the time for partisan chest-thumping. This is a time to help and heal,” the chief minister added.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the party does not support any form of violence. “What happened today is entirely the result of the BJP’s own actions. While ordinary people are suffering terribly, BJP leaders went there with a convoy of more than ten cars just for a photo shoot without carrying any relief materials. Naturally, the local people became agitated. This incident is a direct consequence of the BJP’s long history of wrongdoing and neglect of people’s needs,” he said.

Ghosh said TMC workers have been tirelessly helping people on the ground from the very beginning, not just posting on social media like BJP’s warriors, but actually standing by the affected people.

TMC IT cell head Debangshu Bhattacharya claimed, “There were no party flags. It was the outburst of the common man. If someone wants to put in a line that those who assaulted were TMC sainiks, that is their wish.”

With PTI

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