Attack on Didi: 3 rebel MLAs join House protests, 45 TMC workers detained
Times of India | 11 August 2026
Kolkata: Trinamool on Monday staged protests on the streets, at the assembly and in Delhi against the attack on party chief and former CM Mamata Banerjee, who was targeted in Halisahar a day earlier while visiting the family of a TMC worker who allegedly died in police custody.
While party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee claimed the attack was “state-sponsored” and police detained 45 TMC supporters at Hazra and Shyambazar, the day’s biggest drama unfolded inside the assembly.
Three TMC MLAs aligned with the Ritabrata Banerjee camp — Abdul Khaleq Molla (Metiabruz), Tawsifur Rahman (Basirhat) and Bibhas Sardar (Baruipur East) — joined the protest led by Kalighat TMC netas, including Kunal Ghosh, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Biman Banerjee and Nayana Banerjee. The legislators marched inside the complex demanding immediate arrest of those responsible for the attack.
Explaining his participation, Rahman said: “Where Didi is, I am there. Without Mamata-di’s photo, I would not have received even 500 votes.”
“Our neta has been attacked... All 80 Trinamool MLAs should protest this,” said Sardar. Molla also condemned the assault but reaffirmed his alignment with the Ritabrata bloc.
In Rajya Sabha, TMC MP Mohammed Nadimul Haque submitted a notice under Rule 267 (notice of motion for suspension of rules), demanding the suspension of all listed business for the day to urgently debate political violence in Bengal, the attack on Mamata’s convoy and the police action on protesting students in Delhi.
Abhishek alleged central and state backing behind the assault, asserting that the perpetrators had been “spotted with BJP netas in multiple instances.” “The PM and Union home minister had full backing behind the incident; CM Suvendu Adhikari just executed it,” he said.
The controversy stems from the alleged custodial death of Birju Keot, husband of a former TMC councillor from Kanchrapara. When Mamata visited the family on Sunday, a mob allegedly hurled stones, bricks, mud and slippers at her SUV.
TMC organised rallies across Kolkata, including Shyambazar, Rajabazar, Hazra and Gariahat. Youth neta Mrityunjoy Pal led the Shyambazar rally, while IT cell spokesperson Upasana Chowdhury headed the Hazra march.
The party alleged that police denied permission for several planned marches across the state and detained key workers, including Pal and Chowdhury. At Hazra, police stopped the procession and arrested 30 people, taking them to Kalighat police station. At Shyambazar, another rally was halted and 15 workers were detained.
Kunal and former KMC MMiC Baishwanor Chattopadhyay said the movement against BJP’s attack on Mamata would continue. “The attackers are being backed by govt. They must be arrested without delay and identified. Mamata Banerjee cannot be silenced through intimidation,” Kunal added.