Kolkata: Police have arrested six people in connection with the attack on Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee during his visit to Sonarpur, with sources claiming that the accused were once close associates of former Sonarpur South MLA Lovely Maitra.

The arrests come a day after Banerjee allegedly faced a hostile crowd while travelling to the residence of a deceased TMC worker in Sonarpur.

Protesters reportedly raised slogans, hurled eggs and other objects, and engaged in a scuffle during which Banerjee sustained injuries.

The incident has sparked a fresh political confrontation in West Bengal, with the ruling BJP and TMC trading charges over responsibility for the violence.

Although Banerjee has not yet lodged a formal complaint, police have reportedly registered a suo motu case and launched an investigation into the incident.

The six accused are expected to be produced before a court in Baruipur, while investigators seek their custody to probe the circumstances leading to the attack.

According to sources, all six arrested individuals had previously been associated with the TMC and were considered close to former MLA Lovely Maitra.

The revelation has added a new dimension to the controversy, particularly after Banerjee blamed the BJP for orchestrating the attack.

Investigators have also collected video footage from the scene and are examining the recordings to identify additional suspects and reconstruct the sequence of events.

Police are expected to rely on the footage and witness statements as they widen the probe.

The arrest of individuals reportedly linked to former TMC circles has intensified political speculation over the identities and affiliations of those involved.

While Banerjee accused the BJP of being behind the violence, BJP leaders have denied the allegation and questioned the law-and-order situation in the state.

Mamata Banerjee’s reaction

The incident left Banerjee injured and led to a late-night medical episode that soon became another flashpoint in the political battle between the TMC and the BJP.

Speaking to reporters outside a private hospital at around 11 pm on Saturday, ex-chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that pressure had been exerted on hospitals not to admit Abhishek Banerjee.

According to the former CM, doctors had initially recommended multiple medical examinations after admitting Banerjee to the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU).

She handed the microphone to TMC MP Derek O’Brien, who outlined the tests advised by doctors.

She then alleged that hospital authorities had informed her that they were receiving threatening calls from police officials and BJP leaders.

‘When I was speaking with the head of the hospital, he told me that they were receiving threatening calls from various police officials, particularly the DC South, as well as BJP leaders.

They were being pressured not to admit Abhishek. The doctors themselves were sorry about the situation,’ Mamata claimed.

Questioning the decision not to hospitalise Abhishek, she asked, “If hospitalisation was not required, then why was he kept in the ITU for two hours and advised to undergo those tests?

Similar threats were allegedly made to the previous hospital as well. Here too, he was immediately taken to the ITU.”

Mamata also announced that Abhishek would be treated at home instead of being admitted to a hospital.

‘Abhishek is being taken home. Arrangements are being made to create hospital-like facilities at his residence. His home will effectively function as a hospital,’ she said.

BJP’s reaction

The BJP, however, rejected allegations linking the party to the attack and instead raised questions about the state's handling of law and order.

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya condemned the violence in Sonarpur while maintaining that the BJP had no connection with the incident.

Reacting to the attack, Bhattacharya said there was no place for violence in a democratic society and asserted that political grievances could not justify such actions.

‘People may have anger and grievances, but such incidents are unacceptable. What happened in Sonarpur is unfortunate, and the BJP has absolutely no connection with it,’ Bhattacharya said.

The BJP leader also questioned the role of the state administration and police, asking why security personnel failed to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.

“Why the police could not reach or act in time is a question that the state government must answer. BJP does not support this culture of violence,” he added.

As investigators continue to examine the circumstances behind the attack, the identities and alleged political affiliations of those arrested are expected to remain at the centre of the controversy.

The Sonarpur incident has once again brought the issue of political violence in West Bengal into sharp focus, with both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP attempting to shape the narrative around the violence and its aftermath.