Questions have been raised over Mamata Banerjee’s security after a woman reportedly approached the former West Bengal Chief Minister outside her residence in Kolkata’s Kalighat area on Tuesday, with Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders claiming that she attempted to attack Banerjee with a knife.
The incident reportedly took place around 6 pm as Banerjee was preparing to leave to inaugurate a Durga Puja pandal.
TMC MP Saket Gokhale questioned how the woman was able to reach Banerjee’s residence despite the former chief minister having Z+ category security cover. Gokhale described the woman as a drug addict and alleged that she had attempted to attack Banerjee with a knife.
Complaint Identifies Woman, Details Allegations
A complaint lodged with the Kalighat police by Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen identified the woman as Tannishtha Saha. According to the complaint, Saha was allegedly a civic volunteer and a drug addict.
The complaint alleged that she arrived in a violent and intoxicated state, hurled abuses and attempted to approach Banerjee with a knife. It further claimed that the woman described herself as Banerjee’s niece and tried to hurt her on the road.
"We are questioning the woman and trying to understand the reason behind her behaviour. We are also reviewing the video footage of the incident. Witnesses will also be spoken to," PTI quoted a police official.
TMC Leaders Question Security Arrangements
The incident has prompted TMC leaders to question the security arrangements outside Banerjee’s residence and how the woman was able to approach her as she prepared to leave for a public event.
The allegations regarding the woman’s actions and the circumstances surrounding the incident have not been independently established.