NEW DELHI: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday thanked leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for extending support after he was attacked by a mob in West Bengal’s Sonarpur.Responding to Rahul’s post on X, Abhishek termed himself a “victim of state-sponsored terrorism” and accused the BJP of using political violence and intimidation against its opponents.“Thank you, Rahul ji, for your concern and constant support. We stand united and resolute in our fight to protect the soul of India, defend its democratic institutions and uphold the values enshrined in our Constitution. Last year, I travelled across five countries representing India as part of the all-party delegation for Operation Sindoor. I defended my country and stood united against terrorism,” the TMC MP said.“Today, I stand as a victim of political violence and state-sponsored terrorism unleashed by those who claim to be the guardians of nationalism. This is the reality of today’s BJP. If you support them, you are a patriot. If you question them, you become a target. If you stand with them, you are celebrated. If you stand against them, they try to silence you,” he added.Further, the Diamond Harbour MP said that he would “rather face intimidation while defending democracy than enjoy comfort by surrendering my principles”.“Power is temporary. The will of the people is permanent. I will bow only before the people, never before the people in power,” he said.“We will continue our fight against those who seek to weaken democracy and divide our nation. INDIA STANDS UNITED and together, we will ensure that the politics of fear, hatred, violence and intimidation is defeated, and that the voice of the people prevails,” the TMC leader added.Earlier on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi condemned the attack on the TMC leader and said it was a “disgusting manifestation” of the BJP’s “politics of vendetta”.“The attack on MP Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur is utterly reprehensible. An attack on a Member of Parliament is not merely an assault on one individual—it is an assault on the very people who elected him, and on the democracy that is our shared legacy,” Rahul said.“This is the ugly face of the BJP’s politics of revenge. Political differences can never justify violence. The central government and the West Bengal government must take immediate action against the perpetrators and ensure that no public representative, regardless of party affiliation, ever has to worry about their safety. Abhishek ji, my thoughts are with you and your family. Wishing you a speedy recovery,” he added.Meanwhile, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, reached out to her after the attack.“Rahul Gandhi called me and told me that if anything is needed, I can tell him, and he can take Abhishek Banerjee to Hyderabad or anywhere else for treatment,” she said.Abhishek Banerjee, TMC national general secretary and MP, was roughed up on Saturday in South 24 Parganas district as he had gone to meet the family of Sanju Karmakar, whom the party alleged was killed by “BJP-backed miscreants” in post-poll violence.Stones, shoes and eggs were hurled at him by unidentified people who allegedly attempted to assault him while shouting slogans, according to police.The Diamond Harbour MP was later seen being escorted from the area wearing a police helmet and with his shirt torn.The incident triggered sharp political reactions, with opposition parties raising concerns over the law-and-order situation in the state and the continuing cycle of post-election violence.Meanwhile, the BJP said the public reception of the TMC MP reflected deep-seated resentment among local residents against the ruling dispensation’s governance policies, which it alleged have caused widespread displacement and distress across the state.
