Man with gun detained at airport, Abhishek Banerjee raises concern
What's the story
Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has raised serious security concerns after an alleged armed person was detained at Kolkata Airport on Friday night. The incident occurred shortly after Banerjee arrived in Kolkata from Delhi. "Last night at Kolkata Airport, shortly after I landed from Delhi, a shocking incident took place. Armed individuals were apprehended, leading to serious questions about security and the lengths to which some are willing to go," he wrote on social media platform X.
Allegations made
Derek O'Brien calls it 'attempt to murder'
TMC MP Derek O'Brien also alleged that a "BJP supporter" was found with a gun at the airport exit when he and Banerjee were leaving. He posted videos on X of a person being taken away and called it an "attempt to murder" the Diamond Harbour MP. "BJP SUPPORTER WITH A GUN. Chilling video. More proof from outside Kolkata airport last night. Attempt to murder?" O'Brien wrote in his post.
Twitter Post
Derek O'Brien's post on X
BJP SUPPORTER WITH A GUN. Chilling video.
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) June 20, 2026
More proof from outside Kolkata airport last night. Attempt to murder? https://t.co/29FThGATD2 pic.twitter.com/mLLwuoXux6
Political tensions
TMC accuses BJP of state-sponsored attempt to eliminate political opponent
The TMC has accused the incident of being a "state-sponsored attempt to eliminate a political opponent." This comes amid rising political tensions in West Bengal after the TMC's defeat in the April assembly elections. The new chief minister of West Bengal is Suvendu Adhikari. After this change in government, several Trinamool leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, have faced attacks with eggs and stones during separate incidents.
BJP response
BJP downplays incident, accuse Abhishek Banerjee of not accepting
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has downplayed the incident, accusing Abhishek Banerjee of not accepting a security downgrade after the change in government. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said, "Abhishek Banerjee is used to heavy security, which was provided in the earlier regime. Now he has been given security that an MP is entitled to." Majumdar added that the new BJP government has its hands full and doesn't have time for Abhishek Banerjee's concerns.