Tension flared at Kolkata Airport on Friday as TMC and BJP supporters clashed ahead of Abhishek Banerjee’s arrival from Delhi, where he had met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
TMC and BJP supporters clashed at Kolkata Airport on Friday evening just before the arrival of Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, who was returning from Delhi after meeting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
A group of BJP supporters gathered at Kolkata Airport late on Friday evening, allegedly carrying eggs. A large number of TMC supporters also reached the airport and engaged in scuffling with BJP supporters near the arrival gates.
In a very short time, the situation turned tense as supporters of both parties became involved in a clash. A scuffle broke out between the two groups outside the arrival area, prompting police and security personnel to rush to the spot.
TMC supporters alleged that BJP workers had assembled at the airport to hurl eggs at the Lok Sabha MP upon his arrival. Police intervened and brought the situation under control outside the exit gate.
To avoid any possible attack on Banerjee and prevent further escalation, police and security forces escorted him out of the airport through a different gate. Banerjee later left the airport from the alternate exit under security cover.
One TMC supporter claimed BJP activists arrived with eggs and provoked TMC workers despite being requested not to bring such confrontational tactics to the airport. The supporter further alleged that some BJP workers misbehaved with TMC members and even displayed weapons, questioning how they were allowed inside the airport premises despite security arrangements.