Mamata Banerjee led a protest in Kolkata against alleged attacks on TMC leaders and workers, as well as the Railways' hawker eviction drive. Despite police denying permission, the TMC chief vowed to continue the protest, saying 'I am ready to be arrested.'
The protest comes amid heightened political tensions following alleged attacks on TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and senior party leader Kalyan Banerjee. The BJP has criticized the proposed demonstration, with leader Rahul Sinha questioning the purpose of the protest and saying any public demonstration must be conducted with police permission.
Mamata Banerjee alleged that the ruling BJP was using 'money and power' to engineer defections in her party, while claiming that the departure of leaders from the party fold would help rebuild the organization.
The TMC chief also accused the police of failing to provide adequate security during Abhishek Banerjee's visit to families affected by post-poll violence in Sonarpur, where he suffered an eye injury.
