A fresh political controversy erupted in West Bengal after BJP MP Raju Bista alleged that Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee slapped one of her own party workers during a protest march in Kolkata. The allegation surfaced after a video of the incident went viral on social media, prompting sharp reactions from the BJP.
According to Raju Bista, the incident took place during a TMC protest organised over the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in Baruipur. Sharing the video on social media, Bista claimed that a party worker was trying to manage the crowd and clear the way for Banerjee when she allegedly lost her temper and slapped him. He criticised the TMC leader, saying the incident reflected her style of leadership and treatment of party workers.
The video quickly gained attention online, with BJP leaders accusing Banerjee of displaying arrogance and disrespect towards her own supporters. They questioned how a leader who speaks about protecting people's rights could allegedly behave in such a manner with party workers during a public event.
The protest march itself witnessed tense scenes as TMC and BJP supporters clashed in parts of Kolkata. Banerjee alleged that BJP workers disrupted the rally and accused the police of failing to protect TMC supporters, particularly women participants. The clashes led to heavy deployment of security personnel, with both parties blaming each other for the violence.
As of now, the Trinamool Congress has not issued an official statement specifically responding to the BJP's allegation regarding the viral video or confirming the circumstances surrounding the incident. The authenticity and context of the video have not been independently verified by authorities.
The episode has added another layer to the ongoing political confrontation between the TMC and the BJP, with both parties continuing to trade allegations over the events surrounding the protest march. The viral clip has fuelled debate on social media, while political leaders from both sides continue to use the incident to target each other ahead of future electoral contests.
