Mamata warns BJP over TMC office attack, threatens dharnas outside leaders' homes

Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condemned the alleged vandalism at the Trinamool Congress office on Camac Street in Kolkata, blamed BJP-backed men for the attack, and warned that her party would stage dharnas outside the homes of BJP leaders in New Delhi if such "atrocities" continued.

In a Facebook Live address, the TMC supremo said the alleged attack showed a worsening law and order situation in West Bengal. Her remarks came hours after TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee alleged that BJP-backed armed men had vandalised the party office in the early hours of Thursday. Police later arrested six people in connection with the incident.

"We condemn the vandalism at our party office early in the morning in Kolkata. If this is the law and order situation in Kolkata, just imagine what is prevailing in rural areas," Banerjee said. She alleged that BJP workers vandalised the office after taking Kolkata Police "in confidence" and took away important documents and equipment from the premises. "BJP goons looted our documents and equipment and vandalised our office by taking Kolkata Police in confidence," she alleged.

MAMATA ACCUSES BJP OF ‘TOTAL LAWLESSNESS’

Banerjee also accused the BJP of indulging in "total lawlessness" in West Bengal and condemned what she described as hooliganism at Jadavpur University. "What happened at Jadavpur University was the hooliganism of the BJP. We condemn this," she said.

She further alleged that a situation was being created in which she was being prevented from moving freely. "The chief minister is stating that they will not allow me to go out of my home," she said, referring to alleged threats and intimidation. Banerjee said the TMC would not remain silent if attacks on its leaders and offices continued. "If these atrocities on the TMC don't stop, we will stage dharnas outside BJP leaders' homes in New Delhi," she said.

Abhishek Banerjee had earlier shared purported CCTV footage on social media that showed several masked men wearing helmets leaving the premises with electronic equipment, including television sets and a printer. A room inside the office was also seen with damaged furniture and electronic equipment, according to the footage.

The allegations have triggered a fresh political confrontation between the ruling TMC and the BJP in the state, with both sides trading accusations over law and order and political violence, as police continue their action in the case.