Video Editor: Vivek Gupta
After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was allegedly attacked while campaigning in Nandigram on Wednesday, 10 March, the doctor treating her has informed that she has suffered severe bone injuries on her ankle and shoulder. Further, the doctor said, she will be kept under observation for 48 hours.
Meanwhile, police have registered a case over the attack, following a complaint lodged by TMC leader Shiekh Sufian, PTI reported.
According to India Today, the doctor also said that the TMC supremo is running a slight fever and has been moved to a special ward.
"Four or five people came in front of the car and pushed the door. This was done purposely," the CM had said right after the incident, adding that no local police was present at the spot when the incident took place.
Photos have since emerged of the CM lying in a hospital bed, her leg in a cast.
Upon arriving in Kolkata, Banerjee was taken to the SSKM Hospital for treatment. A team of five senior doctors was deputed to treat her at the state-run hospital, health officials were quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Further, the TMC manifesto launch that was slated to be held on Thursday has been deferred.
TMC Delegation to Meet EC
A TMC delegation will meet Election Commission officers in Kolkata on Thursday and file a complaint about the alleged attack, reports ANI.
A BJP delegation will also meet the commission to demand a proper enquiry into the incident.
The Election Commission of India has sought a report on the incident, which comes just a few days before the eight-phase elections in West Bengal, starting 27 March.
What Else Have the Doctors Said?
As per India Today, Dr M Bandopadhya, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, said:
“Initial examination suggests severe bone injuries in her left ankle, foot and bruises, injuries in right shoulder, forearm and neck. The chief minister complained of chest pain, breathlessness since the incident. She is kept under close watch for 48 hours.”
The doctor further informed that the TMC supremo is running a slight fever and has been moved to a special ward at the hospital's VVIP Woodburn Block.
Another doctor also told India Today that more tests will be done and after an evaluation of her condition they will decide the next course of treatment.
The state government has set up a team of five senior doctors to treat the CM, reported India Today.
‘She Will Continue to Be Your Strongest Voice’: TMC
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has put out a statement saying that this is not the first time an attempt has been made to silence her and “she was, she is and she will continue to be your strongest voice.”
“This is not the first time an attempt has been made to silence @MamataOfficial. Earlier too, she was attacked on this very historic turf for standing by farmers. But nothing will break her will. She was, she is and she will continue to be your strongest voice.”Trinamool Congress
Protests Ensue in Different Parts of West Bengal
Widespread protests are reported to have taken place in retaliation to the incident in different districts of West Bengal, with protesters burning tires and shouting slogans. These districts include:
- Sovabazar
- Chetla
- Bally
- West Midnapore
- Asansol
- Jalpaiguri
- North 24 Parganas
- Bankura
Party workers have claimed that there will be more protests on Thursday.
Guv Jagdeep Dhankar Visits Mamata
On Wednesday night, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar reached the hospital to visit the chief minister, while TMC supporters reportedly shouted 'go back'.
Kejriwal, Tejashwi Yadav Condemn Incident
TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, in a statement detailing the incident said, "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."
Political leaders, including Delhi CM and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, condemned the incident.
Mamata Files Nomination From Nandigram
Earlier on Wednesday, the Trinamool Congress supremo filed her nomination from the Nandigram constituency for the upcoming Legislative Assembly polls.
Addressing a press conference after filing her nomination, the CM had said, “I have always supported the uprising in Nandigram… I have sometimes wanted to be able to contest from Singur or Nandigram. I was reminded of Nandigram when I last came for a meeting here. There was no MLA at that time, the seat was vacant. So I asked, will it be okay if I contest?”
Banerjee went on to say that she had gotten a very encouraging response from the crowd, and because of their support, she realised that Nandigram “is not just a slogan,” but the place where the kisan movement originated.
She will square off against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, who was until recently a minister in her government, until he switched sides and joined the saffron party.
The upcoming elections in West Bengal are proving to be a high-stakes battle between the ruling TMC and an emergent BJP. Also in the equation is the Congress and the Left alliance.
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