Kolkata: A political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after an audio clip, purportedly featuring Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee speaking to the CEO of a prominent Kolkata hospital, went viral on social media. The recording surfaced shortly after a crowd allegedly assaulted TMC national general secretary and former MP Abhishek Banerjee during a visit to South 24 Parganas on May 30.
The leaked audio clip reportedly captures Mamata Banerjee in a heated conversation with Belle Vue Hospital CEO Pradip Tandon. In the recording, she can allegedly be heard accusing the hospital administration of acting unfairly and warning of consequences in the future.
“Sorry, Mr Tandon, you have done a wrong thing,” Mamata Banerjee is heard saying in the viral clip.
The conversation then reportedly turns sharper, with the TMC chief stating, “Please remember what help we have done for you. God will not excuse you. You are misleading. You should be ashamed. Everybody will remember your arrogance. You are running the hospital, and the BJP is in power. Tomorrow, if the central government is not there, we will take care of it.”
The authenticity of the audio clip has not been independently verified. However, its circulation on social media has triggered intense political debate, with opposition parties accusing the TMC leadership of attempting to pressure a private healthcare institution.
Abhishek Banerjee Attacked During Sonarpur Visit
The controversy comes against the backdrop of an attack on Abhishek Banerjee during his visit to Sonarpur South in South 24 Parganas district. The TMC leader had travelled to the area as part of a statewide outreach initiative aimed at meeting party workers and families who the party claims were targeted in post-election violence.
According to reports, Abhishek first visited the family of Sanju Karmakar in Sonarpur South and was later scheduled to meet the family of Biswajit Pattanayak in Beleghata. During the visit, a group of local residents allegedly confronted him, raising slogans and accusing him of corruption.
Videos circulating on social media showed people shouting “chor, chor” slogans while hurling eggs and stones in his direction. The situation reportedly became chaotic as security personnel and TMC workers rushed to shield Banerjee from the crowd.
Visuals from the scene showed Abhishek Banerjee wearing a police-issued cricket helmet while leaving the area under security cover. Reports also suggested that his shirt was torn during the confrontation, highlighting the intensity of the incident.
Following the attack, Abhishek Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the violence.
“It’s all BJP-sponsored. Look what they have done. This is their example of democracy. It hasn’t even been a month, and the police are nowhere to be seen,” he told reporters.
He further alleged that the attackers intended to cause him serious harm and questioned the role of local law enforcement during the incident.
Shift from Apollo to Belle Vue Hospital
After the attack, Abhishek Banerjee was initially taken to Apollo Hospital in Kolkata for medical evaluation. He was subsequently shifted to Belle Vue Hospital for further observation and treatment.
Addressing a press conference after the incident, Mamata Banerjee expressed concern about her nephew’s medical condition and alleged that external pressure was being exerted on the hospital administration regarding his treatment.
She claimed that Abhishek had developed blood clots following the assault and was admitted to the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU). According to her, doctors conducted a series of medical examinations, including a 3D CT scan, ultrasonography, and thoracic assessments to evaluate the extent of his injuries.
Questioning the criticism of the hospitalisation, Mamata argued that doctors would not have admitted him to the ITU if his injuries were insignificant.
Banerjee further stated that while doctors at Apollo Hospital had suggested that Abhishek could recover at home, she remained concerned about his health condition and therefore decided that he should be shifted to Belle Vue Hospital for closer monitoring and specialised treatment.
Political Reactions Intensify
The viral audio clip has added a new dimension to the controversy, with opposition leaders alleging that the remarks reflect an attempt to intimidate a private institution. BJP leaders have demanded clarification from the TMC leadership regarding the contents of the recording and the circumstances under which the conversation took place.
The TMC, meanwhile, has maintained that concerns over Abhishek Banerjee’s health were genuine and that the focus should remain on the attack against him rather than the political controversy surrounding the audio clip.
As the recording continues to circulate widely online, the incident has reignited debate over political influence, institutional autonomy, and the increasingly charged political atmosphere in West Bengal following the recent elections.
