West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suffered a minor head injury on Wednesday in a car accident while returning to Kolkata from an official engagement in Burdwan district.
Banerjee's car was forced to brake suddenly to avoid colliding with another vehicle. The sudden jolt caused her to hit her head on the windshield, resulting in a minor injury.
"She was tossed forward and her head hit the windshield," a police official told HT. "The injury wasn't serious."
Banerjee did not stop for medical attention and continued on to Kolkata, where she will see doctors.
The accident happened shortly after Banerjee left an administrative meeting in Burdwan. She had originally planned to return to Kolkata by helicopter, but bad weather forced her to travel by car.
The accident has raised questions about the security of Banerjee's convoy. The police are investigating the cause of the accident and are taking steps to improve security measures.
Banerjee's Relationship with the Congress
The accident comes at a time when Banerjee's relationship with the Congress is strained. Earlier this week, Banerjee said that the Congress had not discussed seat sharing with her party for the upcoming elections in West Bengal. She also said that the Congress did not inform her that their Bharat Jodo Yatra would be passing through West Bengal.
The Congress has tried to mollify Banerjee, saying that they respect her and are committed to defeating the BJP in the upcoming elections. However, it remains to be seen whether the accident will further damage the relationship between the two parties.
Banerjee's Political Standing
Banerjee is a popular figure in West Bengal and has been Chief Minister since 2011. She is a strong critic of the BJP and has been a key figure in the opposition to the ruling party.
The accident is unlikely to have a significant impact on Banerjee's political standing. However, it may lead to increased scrutiny of her security arrangements.
Reactions to the Accident
Leaders from across the political spectrum have wished Banerjee a speedy recovery. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "I pray for the speedy recovery of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ji. May she get well soon."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also tweeted, "I wish Mamata Banerjee ji a speedy recovery. I hope she is doing well."
The accident has been widely reported in the Indian media. Many news outlets have posted videos of the accident on their websites.
Overall, the accident is a reminder of the importance of road safety. It is also a reminder of the fragility of life. We all need to be careful on the roads and take steps to protect ourselves from accidents.