Mamata Banerjee target of attempted knife attack, TMC says

NEW DELHI: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has alleged on Tuesday that a knife attack bid was made on former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, potentially as part of a conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP. TMC MP Saket Gokhale claimed that a drug addict had reached Banerjee's residence and attempted to attack her with a knife. He questioned the security arrangements for the former chief minister, who is covered under the Z+ category security.

Gokhale expressed shock at the incident, stating that even a former chief minister of the caliber of Banerjee, who has a Z+ security category, is not safe in Bengal. He questioned whether this was a planned conspiracy by the BJP, given Banerjee's determination to defeat them in Delhi. Gokhale stated that a complaint had been filed with the Kalighat police station under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

The complaint was submitted by TMC leader Dola Sen, identifying the woman as Tannishtha Saha, who was reportedly a civic volunteer and a drug addict. According to the complaint, Saha arrived at Banerjee's residence around 6pm on Tuesday in a violent and intoxicated state, hurling abuses and attempting to approach the former chief minister with a knife. It further alleged that Saha claimed to be Banerjee's niece and attempted to hurt her on the road.