The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has alleged a serious security threat to its national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee following chaotic scenes at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Friday night. The controversy erupted after TMC leaders claimed that armed individuals were apprehended near the airport around the time Banerjee arrived from Delhi.
According to TMC, some of the detained individuals were carrying weapons, prompting the party to describe the incident as a potential threat to Banerjee's safety. Party leaders alleged that the episode exposed major lapses in security arrangements and demanded a thorough investigation into how such individuals were able to reach a high-security zone.
Banerjee himself termed the development “serious” and questioned the security framework at the airport. He said the incident raises important questions about law and order and the effectiveness of security screening at one of the state's most sensitive locations.
The incident coincided with clashes between TMC and BJP supporters outside the airport arrival terminal. The confrontation led to chaos, panic among passengers, and significant traffic congestion in the surrounding area. Police were deployed to bring the situation under control.
While TMC has linked the episode to a possible threat against Banerjee, opposition leaders have rejected the allegations and accused the ruling party of politicising the incident. Authorities have not yet publicly confirmed any assassination plot, and investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the detention of the armed individuals and the ensuing clashes.
The latest controversy comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal, with both TMC and BJP trading accusations over security, political violence, and law-and-order issues in the state.
