Mamata Banerjee says she was attacked in Nandigram, calls it a conspiracy

Four to five people whom I don’t know suddenly pushed me down, Mamata said

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that she was "attacked" by some strangers who pushed her and slammed the door of her car, causing injuries to her legs, hands and head. The alleged incident took place in Nandigram after she filed her nomination for the Nandigram Assembly seat.

“Four to five people whom I don’t know suddenly pushed me and slammed my car door on my left foot. It hurt me in my head, foot and hand. It is really painful. Although I had planned to stay in Nandigram tonight (Wednesday), I have to return to Kolkata (for treatment),” said Mamata.

“This is definitely a conspiracy. No local police, not even the SP was at the spot,” said Mamata. District police sources said that an investigation has been launched.

Later TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, who is currently in Nandigram said in a statement “At about 6.15 pm, when Mamata was about to leave Birulia Anchal after performing Puja in a temple, a few unknown persons pushed her to the car and forcibly shut down the door, as a result of which, she sustained injuries in her left leg and waist. She, thereafter, left for Kolkata to get proper treatment.”

Read: Mamata Banerjee faces do-or-die battle in high-stakes West Bengal Assembly elections

Earlier in the day, Mamata filed her nomination for the Nadigram Assembly seat, setting the stage for an intense electoral battle against her former trusted aide Suvendu Adhikari, who is the BJP candidate from the constituency.

After holding a 2 kilometre long road show and offering prayers at a local temple, the TMC supremo filed her nomination at the Haldia sub-divisional office in East Medinipur district. She was accompanied by TMC general secretary Subrata Bakshi.

Mamata exuded confidence of emerging victorious from Nandigram. She said that the constituency never sent her back empty handed.

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“I am confident of my victory from Nandigram. I could have easily contested from Bhabanipur ( where she is the incumbent MLA),” said Mamata.

She also said that seeing the mood of the people during her visit to Nandigram in January, she decided to contest from the constituency.

“When I visited Nandigram, there was no MLA here as the incumbent MLA (Suvendu Adhikari) had resigned. Seeing the mood of the people, I decided to contest from Nandigram,” said Mamata.

“Nandigram has never sent me back empty handed. It is not just a name but a movement. This is what Nandigram means to me,” said Mamata.

She also said that she is confident that no one would be able to indulge in divisive politics in Nandigram as people from across communities took part in the land agitation in 2007.

“Let me make it absolutely clear. No one can resort to divisive politics in Nandigram as people from all communities took part in the land agitation,” said Mamata.