TMC Alleges Knife Attack Attempt on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Files Police Complaint
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has alleged that an attempt was made to attack West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with a knife at her residence in Kolkata on Tuesday evening. The party has filed a complaint with the Kalighat police station, seeking action under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
According to the complaint, the incident took place around 6 pm on Tuesday. It identified the woman as Tannishtha Saha, who is alleged to be a civic volunteer and a drug addict. The complaint claims that she arrived in a violent and intoxicated state, hurled abuses, and attempted to approach Banerjee with a knife. It further alleges that the woman claimed to be Banerjee's niece and tried to hurt her on the road.
TMC MP Saket Gokhale, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), alleged that a drug addict had reached Banerjee's residence and tried to attack her with a knife. He questioned the security arrangements for the Chief Minister, who has Z+ category security cover. "This is the condition in Bengal where even a Z+ protectee and a three-time Chief Minister is not safe," Gokhale said. He further alleged that it could be a "planned conspiracy by the BJP" because Banerjee is determined to defeat them in Delhi. He also asked whether the police would act or if the incident was "sanctioned by Amit Shah."
The complaint was submitted by TMC leader Dola Sen. It seeks action under Section 173 of the BNSS, which deals with information in cognizable cases. The police have not yet made any statement about the incident or the allegations. An investigation is expected to be launched based on the complaint.
Mamata Banerjee is the Chief Minister of West Bengal and the chairperson of the Trinamool Congress. She has been a prominent political figure in the state for decades and has Z+ security cover, the highest level of protection for VIPs in India. Incidents involving the security of high-profile leaders are taken seriously, and any breach is typically investigated thoroughly.
The TMC's allegation comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal. The BJP has not yet responded to the allegations. There was no immediate comment from the police or the Chief Minister's office.
Security of political leaders has been a sensitive issue in India. In the past, there have been attempts on the lives of several leaders, leading to reviews of their security arrangements. The Z+ category security includes a large number of commandos and round-the-clock protection.
The complaint's claim that the woman was a civic volunteer raises questions about how she managed to reach the Chief Minister's residence. Civic volunteers are often deployed for various duties in West Bengal. It is not clear how she bypassed security if the allegations are true.
The TMC has demanded a thorough investigation and strict action. The party has also used the incident to criticise the law and order situation in the state, though the state is governed by the TMC itself. The BJP, on the other hand, has often accused the TMC of failing to maintain law and order.
This incident, if proven, would be a major security lapse. However, it is important to note that these are allegations at this stage, and the police will need to verify the facts. The woman's background and motives are also under investigation.
The Chief Minister's security is the responsibility of the state government. In this case, the TMC is in power in West Bengal, so the allegation of a security breach also raises questions for the state administration. The police will need to determine how the woman was able to get close to the Chief Minister's residence.
The incident has sparked a political row. TMC leaders have demanded answers, while the BJP has not yet commented. The police are likely to register a case and investigate the matter. The outcome will be watched closely as it involves the security of a sitting Chief Minister.
