Video showing Mamata 'slapping' party worker surfaces amid rally chaos; TMC denies claim

Kolkata, Jul 8 (PTI) A video purportedly showing former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slapping a man during a TMC rally in Kolkata on Wednesday surfaced on social media, with the BJP alleging that she assaulted one of her own party workers. The TMC dubbed the allegations as baseless. PTI, however, could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. The incident allegedly occurred near Hazra crossing as Banerjee's protest march concluded amid chaotic scenes marked by jostling and pushing between TMC and BJP supporters. The BJP claimed Banerjee slapped a member of her own party and pushed others while trying to move through the crowd. The video was also aired by a few news channels. A senior TMC leader rejected the allegation, saying Banerjee was merely trying to manage the surging crowd. "There was a huge crowd. She was only trying to control the situation. She did not slap anyone. The allegations are baseless," the TMC leader told PTI. The rally witnessed repeated confrontations between TMC and BJP workers, with the saffron party staging protests against the march, alleging that the ruling party had "shielded criminals involved in crimes against women". Security personnel had to intervene to control the situation. PTI PNT NN