High drama unfolded at Kolkata Airport on June 9 as Kalyan Banerjee, a Member of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), faced chants of ‘chor, chor’ (thieves) and ‘Jai Shree Ram’ from a group of individuals. This interaction occurred while he was addressing the media after returning from a trip to Delhi. Banerjee was discussing rebel TMC MPs who have formed a new bloc aimed at collaborating with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government for the development of West Bengal.

While Banerjee was criticising Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, the Chief Whip of the newly formed bloc, the slogans started echoing around the airport. The situation escalated as Banerjee, initially maintaining composure, attempted to engage the group in conversation, but tensions soon rose. He adopted a more aggressive tone, labelling the current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari as the ‘biggest thief’.

During this exchange, Banerjee asserted, “Suvendu Adhikari is a thief. He was seen taking Rs 5 lakh. He is the biggest thief.” His comments were met with further slogans of ‘Chor Suvendu’ as he made his way out of the airport, with the group of protestors closely following him.

Previous Heckling Incident

This disruption was not an isolated event for the veteran MP from Serampore Lok Sabha. Just days prior to this incident, Banerjee experienced another aggressive confrontation in Kolkata. While on his way to a protest organised by TMC workers, he was reportedly attacked by a group that struck him on the head. Such incidents highlight the increasing tensions surrounding political figures within the region.

The ongoing political climate in West Bengal has seen a rise in confrontations, with various factions openly expressing their discontent with one another. Banerjee’s public appearances have increasingly become focal points for dissent, indicating deepening divisions within the state’s political landscape.

As the political atmosphere becomes more charged, these incidents serve as a reflection of the turmoil that has characterised TMC’s interactions with both dissenters and their opponents.

Local Protests Over Job Scam

In a separate incident on the same day, unrest erupted in Gaighata, located in the North 24 Parganas district. A violent protest unfolded as residents besieged the home of a TMC worker, accused of defrauding locals by falsely promising government jobs. The crowd demanded the return of their money, intensifying their accusations by chanting ‘chor, chor’.

The situation intensified as the demonstrators began pelting the property with eggs. As police arrived to protect the accused, identified as Suman Das, chaos ensued. The crowd allegedly attempted to breach police lines to physically assault Das, with reports indicating he was slapped multiple times and his shirt was torn before officers managed to extricate him.

This event illustrates the growing frustration among residents in West Bengal regarding alleged scams that affect their livelihoods. The violent response highlights deep-seated grievances regarding unemployment and corruption, marking a significant moment in ongoing local discontent.

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