West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sustained “severe bone injuries” in her left ankle and foot after she was attacked in the state’s Nandigram district on Wednesday, PTI reported, quoting the Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, or SSKM hospital in Kolkata, where she is currently admitted.
The Trinamool Congress leader, who said she was pushed by four to five people, also had wounds on her right shoulder, forearm and neck, a senior doctor of the state-run hospital said.
“A temporary plaster was done on her left ankle and she will undergo several blood tests this morning,” the doctor added. “Her ECG report was fine. Banerjee is stable now. She will be under observation for the next 48 hours. A CT scan may be conducted during the day. We will again examine her and decide on our next course of treatment.”
On Thursday afternoon, doctors treating Banerjee said that she was stable but had severe pain in her injured leg and a low sodium concentration in blood, PTI reported.
“The board of doctors have decided to conduct a further radiological investigation to exclude any pathology arising out of the the post-traumatic syndrome,” a senior doctor said. “The treatment continues in the same line with correction of hyponatremia. The review board will again meet in the evening.”
Hyponatremia is a condition in which the concentration of sodium in the blood is abnormally low.
Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee posted a photograph of her lying in an unconscious state in hospital, with a cast on her left leg. The nephew also posted a cryptic message signalling that the party was planning something for May 2. “Brace yourselves to see the power of people of Bengal...Get ready,” he wrote.
Party MLA Paresh Pal told reporters that Banerjee’s condition was “serious”, ANI reported. “A little more pressure could have resulted in spine injury.”
Banerjee was injured while campaigning in Nandigram for the Assembly elections, where she will take on her former aide and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suvendu Adhikari. The seat played host to the anti-farm land acquisition movement which propelled her to power in 2011.
The incident took place while Banerjee was coming from a temple in Reyapara on Wednesday. Visuals showed her limping after the attack, with her bodyguards lifting her to her car, allegedly in the absence of police officers at the scene.
Banerjee suspended election campaigns – originally scheduled until March 11 – and headed back to Kolkata. The TMC also postponed the launch of its manifesto for the Assembly election, which was scheduled for Thursday, and said the next date will be finalised after Banerjee recovers completely, according to ANI.
The Trinamool Congress chief alleged that this was a conspiracy against her. She said that she was intentionally shoved by four to five people who had entered the crowd.
Meanwhile, senior district officials on Thursday morning visited the area in Nandigram where the alleged attack took place, PTI reported. Purba Medinipur District Magistrate Vibhu Goel, Superintendent of Police Praween Prakash and other officers visited the Birulia Bazar area to inquire about the incident.
“We are talking to people who were present here during the incident,” the district magistrate said. “We have not got hold of any clear [CCTV] footage of that moment till now.” He further said that people have narrated different versions of the incident.
“We are also looking for anyone who has managed to record the incident on his or her mobile phone at that time,” an unidentified senior police officer told PTI.
The Election Commission has sought a report on the incident from the local administration of Purba Medinipur after the Trinamool Congress filed a complaint. The district administration may file a report to the poll body by second half on Thursday, PTI reported, quoting unidentified sources. But party leaders remained unconvinced, and accused the Election Commission of inaction.
“Cowards have been trying to stop Mamata Banerjee but no one has been able to,” said TMC leader Partha Chatterjee. “Firstly state ADG [Additional Director General] Law and Order was removed then DG [Director General] and now with this. I’m surprised to see how EC, who made all changes, is silent. They must take responsibility.”
Chatterjee added that TMC leaders will visit the Election Commission office “keep this matter in front of the constitutional authority”, according to the Hindustan Times.
The Trinamool Congress said that this was not the first time that an attempt had been made to silence Banerjee, adding that she will not be cowed down by intimidation, and will continue to be the “strongest voice” of West Bengal.
“Earlier too, she was attacked on this very historic turf for standing by farmers,” the party wrote on Twitter. “But nothing will break her will.”
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