'Political differences can never justify violence': Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condemn attack on Abhishek Banerjee

KOLKATA: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday condemned the attack on Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee during his visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal.Banerjee was visiting the area to meet families allegedly affected by post-poll violence when the incident took place, according to news agency ANI.Calling the attack "shocking," Kharge said political differences could never justify violence and questioned the security arrangements made for the Opposition leader."Strongly condemn the shocking attack on MP Shri Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur, as he went to meet the families affected by post-poll violence in the state. The deliberate lack of adequate police protection for a prominent Opposition leader speaks volumes about the BJP's politics of vendetta and persecution The Government of West Bengal and the Union Government must ensure security for all Opposition leaders and take immediate steps to prevent such attacks," Kharge said in a post on X.Akhilesh Yadav also criticised the incident and alleged a conspiracy behind the absence of adequate police deployment."By orchestrating a murderous attack on Abhishek Banerjee, a key leader of the Trinamool Congress in Bengal, the anarchic BJP government in Bengal has proven that the BJP is capable of nothing but hate-filled, negative, violent politics. Even in such a sensitive environment, the absence of police arrangements points to a major conspiracy. Utterly condemnable!" Akhilesh Yadav said on X.The Trinamool Congress alleged that Banerjee was attacked by BJP supporters while he was visiting the family of a person allegedly killed by BJP workers. The party claimed that the TMC general secretary was targeted during the visit, with Banerjee alleging that there was an attempt to kill him.