Mamata releases video from hospital; urges supporters to stay calm
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was allegedly attacked on Wednesday, urged her supporters to maintain calm in a video message from the hospital. During her visit to Nandigram, Banerjee said she was pushed and suffered injuries on her foot. The development comes weeks ahead of Assembly elections in the state. Banerjee is contesting from Nandigram. Here are more details.
'Will resume work in 2-3 days'
In a video message, Banerjee said, "I request everybody to maintain peace and refrain from doing anything that can cause inconvenience to anybody." "I will resume work in the next two-three days," said Banerjee, who could be seen lying on a hospital bed with her leg in a cast. She said she suffered injuries on her "hand, leg, and ligament."
Banerjee had said she was 'pushed by 4-5 people'
Banerjee said she is on medication and will have to move around in a wheelchair, but she will "manage" and not let the injury affect her meeting professional commitments. Earlier, on Wednesday, Banerjee had claimed that she was pushed by four-five people as she exited a temple in Nandigram. She alleged a "conspiracy," claiming no security personnel was present.
Attack comes ahead of polls; Banerjee's TMC loses key leaders
The alleged attack comes ahead of the West Bengal elections, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning to unseat Banerjee's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Notably, several TMC lawmakers and leaders have defected to the BJP, including former party heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari. Nandigram is Adhikari's stronghold. Ditching her Bhawanipore seat, Banerjee showed chutzpah filing her nomination from Nandigram to contest against Adhikari.
TMC alleges foul play behind 'gruesome attack'
The TMC has described the episode as a "gruesome attack." It said an attempt was made on Banerjee's life "within 24 hours of the removal of the Bengal police chief" by the Election Commission. The party claimed that there was a link between the BJP's complaints against the sacked police chief and the absence of security personnel around Banerjee when the alleged attack occurred.
BJP dismisses attack as attempt to gain sympathy
The BJP, on the other hand, dismissed the attack as an attempt to gain sympathy ahead of the polls. The party also pushed for an investigation by the Election Commission into allegations made by Banerjee. It said video footage of the incident should be released.
When will elections be held in West Bengal?
The West Bengal elections will be held in eight phases: March 27 (to be held in 30 constituencies), April 1 (30), April 6 (31), April 10 (44), April 17 (45), April 22 (43), April 26 (36), and April 29 (35). Elections will be held across 1,01,916 polling stations. The term of the Assembly ends May 30, 2021. Votes will be counted on May 2.
