TMC-BJP blame game in Tripura erupts after Abhishek Banerjee 'attacked'

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee posted a video on Twitter where some men carrying BJP flags were seen attacking the Lok Sabha MP's car.

The video was captured by Banerjee himself.

Taking to Twitter, he said, "Democracy in Tripura under @BJP4India rule! Well done @BjpBiplab for taking the state to new heights."

Taking a dig at Banerjee's claim, the West Bengal BJP has posted a tweet which reads, "While this has been a routine affair in Bengal for any opposition leader, seems you have now dispatched violent TMC cadres to Tripura… Wait till the people of Bengal do this to TMC leaders in West Bengal too."

Banerjee, whose parliamentary constituency Diamond Harbour witnessed BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda getting attacked earlier this year, faced protests on the streets of Agartala as he struggled to reach Tripureswari temple to offer prayers.

Slamming the BJP in limited words, the de facto TMC number two said, "They (BJP) have been talking about welcoming guests. This is an example of welcome."

His visit comes amid a bitter tussle between the TMC and BJP after I-PAC team members, who were in Tripura for survey, were allegedly detained in a Agartala hotel.

The incident prompted senior TMC leaders Bratya Basu, Malay Ghatak and Derek O'Brien to rush to the state last week.

Ahead of Banerjee's visit, the TMC has claimed its posters are completely torn apart.

Banerjee has already made clear that his party will aim to expand beyond West Bengal, which has been ruled by the outfit for over 10 years now.

The party is aggressively trying to corner the BJP government in Tripura after TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee returned to West Bengal with a thumping majority in 2021 polls, decimating the BJP.

Tripura, where the BJP dislodged decades old Left government in 2018, will go to polls in 2023.