A political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after a video purportedly showing Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee allegedly slapping a party worker during a protest in Baruipur went viral on social media. The incident occurred on Wednesday during a demonstration over the alleged rape and murder case in Baruipur and has triggered a war of words between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The video, widely circulated online, prompted sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who accused Banerjee of losing her composure during the protest.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari shared the clip on social media, claiming the Trinamool Congress chief had struck multiple party workers during the march. His post quickly gained attention, with opposition leaders using the footage to question Banerjee’s leadership style. Reacting to the incident, BJP leader Keya Ghosh alleged that the episode reflected Banerjee’s frustration over the prevailing political situation in the state. She claimed the incident demonstrated the Trinamool Congress leader’s inability to manage internal affairs and referred to previous allegations of political violence involving BJP workers in West Bengal.

BJP Member of Parliament Raju Bista also criticised Banerjee, alleging that she had "lost her cool" and slapped a party worker during the protest. The Trinamool Congress, however, rejected the BJP’s allegations, describing them as “baseless” and politically motivated. Party leaders maintained that the opposition was attempting to misrepresent the incident through selective video clips in order to target Banerjee. The TMC has not indicated that any disciplinary issue arose during the protest and has dismissed the claims as part of a misinformation campaign. The controversy unfolded during a protest organised over the alleged rape and murder case in Baruipur, an incident that has generated widespread public concern and intensified political exchanges in West Bengal.

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Both the TMC and BJP have sought to use the issue to highlight their respective positions on law and order in the state, with the opposition accusing the government of failing to ensure public safety. The viral video has added another dimension to the political confrontation, with social media users debating what transpired during the protest. While BJP leaders have cited the footage as evidence of inappropriate behaviour by Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress has argued that conclusions should not be drawn from short clips circulated online without full context.

The latest episode comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal, where the TMC and BJP have frequently clashed over governance, law and order, and allegations of political violence. Public protests over crimes against women have also become increasingly contentious, with both parties accusing each other of politicising sensitive incidents. As the video continues to circulate, neither Banerjee nor the Trinamool Congress has issued a detailed explanation of the specific interaction shown in the footage. The BJP has continued to demand accountability, while the ruling party has maintained that the allegations are unfounded and intended to divert attention from the substantive issues surrounding the Baruipur case.

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