Mamata Banerjee injured in Nandigram; 'some people pushed me', Bengal CM says
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday suffered an injury to her leg during election campaigning in Nandigram. The Trinamool Congress chief alleged that she was pushed by some unidentified people. The 66-year-old leader also reportedly suffered bruises on her face.
"I was standing near the car when 4-5 people suddenly came and pushed me. My leg was crushed. This is a conspiracy against me. There were no policemen around me," Mamata, visibly in pain, told reporters.
The chief minister was brought to Kolkata's SSKM Hospital by road from Nandigram for treatment. A green corridor was created for Mamata's convoy. A Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was conducted on Mamata late Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Singh Dhankhar met Mamata and sought an update on the matter. "Called on Mamata Banerjee to enquire about her health condition. I have sought an update from Director, Security and Chief Secretary in the matter. Health Secretary and Director of Hospital urged to take all caution. Democratic process can blossom only with peace and harmony prevailing all around and all contributing according to rule of law and constitution. All need to ensure healthy environment and promote wholesome practices," Dhankhar said in a tweet.
TMC MP and Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee also visited the hospital and said that Banerjee had suffered a "grave" injury and a "major crack".
"She has gone for an MRI. There is a grave injury & she's suffered a major crack. We are waiting for the medical reports," he said.
What happened in Nandigram
According to Trinamool MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, who is currently in Nandigram, the incident took place after Mamata left a temple in Birulia Anchal.
"After widespread response from the people of Nandigram Block-I yesterday, Ms Mamata Banerjee visited several places of Nandigram Block-II after filing nomination at Haldia. She offered Puja in one after another temple. There was a massive response from people everywhere. At about 6.15 pm, when she was about to leave Birulia Anchal after performing Puja in a temple, a few unknown persons pushed her to the car and forcibly shut down the door, as a result of which she sustained injuries in her left leg and also suffered severe pain in the waist. She, thereafter, left for Kolkata to get proper treatment," an official statement by TMC said.
BJP raises questions over Mamata's injury
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised questions over Mamata's claims. Suvendu Adhikari, Mamata's BJP rival in Nandigram, said that Bengal chief minister was claiming conspiracy against her only to gain sympathy.
ALSO READ: 'Was it Taliban': BJP raises questions over Mamata's injury claims
BJP MP Arjun Singh pointed out that the CM is surrounded by heavy security and whatever she was claiming was false allegations. BJP's Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya seconded Arjun Singh. "Ho sakta hai...how it can be possible that someone comes so close to the CM and injures her," Vijayvargiya told India TV. Vijayvargiya said that a CBI probe must be conducted over the incident.
Earlier in the day, Mamata filed her nomination for Nandigram assembly seat, where she will take on her former protege and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and exuded confidence of winning it saying she has never returned empty-handed from the land of anti-farm land acquisition movement.
Accompanied by TMC president Subrata Bakshi, Banerjee filed her papers at the Haldia sub-divisional office here after taking part in a 2-km roadshow. She offered prayers at a temple before filing her nomination, and at another after doing so.
"I have never returned empty-handed from here. Nandigram is not just a name, it is the name of a movement. Bhulte pari sobar naam, bhulbo nako Nandigram (I can forget everyone's name, but can never forget Nandigram). That's the significance of this place for me," the TMC supremo told a gathering after filing nomination.
Nandigram set for epic battle
Nandigram assembly constituency is set for a high octane battle with Banerjee deciding to contest from the seat against Adhikari, who recently switched over to the saffron camp.
Adhikari, who will file his nomination paper for the seat on a later date, called her an 'outsider' to Nandigram and himself a 'bhoomiputra' (son of the soil).
He had won the Nandigram seat in the 2016 assembly poll, while another TMC candidate emerged victorious from the constituency in 2011.
