India, May 31 -- Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that her nephew and Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee suffered blood clots in his chest after being attacked during a visit to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas.

Abhishek was confronted and assaulted by a crowd while meeting party workers affected by post-election violence following the Trinamool Congress's defeat in the state assembly elections.

Videos from the scene showed protesters shouting slogans and throwing eggs as the TMC leader moved through the crowd wearing a cricket helmet.

According to Mamata Banerjee, the helmet may have prevented a far more serious outcome.

"I have been informed that had a helmet not been placed on his head at ...