Kolkata: On Thursday morning, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) carried out a demolition operation using a bulldozer outside the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and party national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee. KMC officials removed a temporary bamboo structure that had been erected on the footpath outside his home in Kalighat.
According to officials, the structure was built on the footpath, causing inconvenience to pedestrians. Municipal authorities arrived at the scene with a bulldozer to carry out the removal. Prior to this, a heavy deployment of central security forces had been stationed outside Abhishek Banerjee’s residence.
This action follows a late-night clash between BJP and TMC workers outside Banerjee’s residence, which occurred a few days ago on the occasion of his 39th birthday. What began as a verbal altercation between the two groups escalated into a physical scuffle and stone-pelting. Abhishek Banerjee alleged that an attempt was made on his life and that BJP supporters vandalized a nearby TMC office.
Abhishek Banerjee accuses Kolkata Police of surveillance
On Wednesday, Abhishek Banerjee accused the Kolkata Police of conducting surveillance around his residence and urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to intervene.
Writing on the social media platform X, he stated, “Once again, Kolkata Police officers are using official police vehicles to conduct surveillance around my residence and spy on me. A similar reconnaissance took place last week, followed by an attack by goons on November 7. Four days have passed, yet no arrests have been made. I have serious reason to believe that another attack is being planned.” He further wrote, “Is the intent here to intimidate and silence me, even as rapes and other crimes continue to occur in the state? Why is the BJP government so afraid of my voice? Despite my repeated complaints, why has the Honorable Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla, not intervened? Is the police force being used to ensure the safety of citizens, or to intimidate those who question the government?”
Earlier, on Friday, Abhishek Banerjee had alleged that unidentified individuals had been conducting surveillance (recces) of his office and residence for two days. He stated on X that when these individuals were questioned, they claimed to be police personnel.
He questioned, “Why is the state police allegedly spying on the office and residence of an elected Member of Parliament? Who authorized this surveillance, and what is its purpose?”
Allegations of an attack on his home; Mamata Banerjee joins a protest
A few hours later, Abhishek Banerjee claimed that the threat had materialized. In a post on X on Saturday, he stated, “I released a video of the surveillance this morning. Just a few hours later, at 2:00 AM, BJP goons attacked my home in the presence of the Kolkata Police.”
He also questioned the judiciary, remarking, “My thanks to the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court of India for remaining mere spectators throughout all of this.”
Abhishek Banerjee added, “You may demolish my home, vandalize my office, and frame me in false cases. You can do whatever you wish, but you can never take away my courage, my human spirit, or my conscience. I will never be intimidated.”
Following this incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joined Abhishek in a protest at Kalighat. She arrived at his residence in the morning and participated in the demonstration alongside her nephew.
BJP leaders dismiss the allegations
West Bengal leader Dilip Ghosh dismissed Abhishek Banerjee’s allegations, describing them as an attempt to mislead the public. He stated, “This is the first time we have seen a leader’s birthday being celebrated on a footpath. If someone creates disorder, there is bound to be a reaction. Besides, who has the time to kill Abhishek Banerjee? He has nothing left to say or do, so he is trying to mislead people by raising this issue.”
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar also questioned the TMC for holding a birthday celebration on a public road, noting that such events could lead to confrontations.
Earlier in July, an anti-encroachment drive was carried out—amidst tight security—at Abhishek Banerjee’s disused office in Amtala, South 24 Parganas. However, the Calcutta High Court subsequently stayed any further demolition work at the premises until further orders.