Demolition Operation at Kalighat Road Residence
Civic workers carried out a demolition operation outside the Kolkata residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday. The action involved the removal of a temporary bamboo shed situated over a footpath and an iron gate that was allegedly obstructing pedestrian movement.
According to reports, municipal workers used a bulldozer to dismantle the bamboo structure and removed bamboo poles to clear the walkway. An iron gate alleged to have blocked pedestrian traffic was taken down using a gas cutter.
A significant presence of Kolkata Police and central forces was noted outside Banerjee’s residence at 121, Kalighat Road during the operation.
Conflicting Accounts on Structure’s Purpose
The demolition has drawn sharp criticism from the TMC, which argues that the structure was not an unauthorized installation but a necessary security measure. TMC spokesperson Arka Nag stated that the shed had been erected by the West Bengal Directorate of Security to accommodate personnel assigned to Banerjee during his Z-plus security cover.
Nag asserted that the structure was constructed specifically for security purposes rather than being built illegally on public land.
Conversely, local residents had previously expressed concerns that the temporary structure impeded pedestrian traffic. Residents noted that the presence of the shed forced individuals to navigate a congested area of the road, highlighting the tension between security requirements and public access in the neighborhood.
Allegations of Political Targeting
The incident has intensified existing political tensions in West Bengal. The TMC accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using state machinery to target its leaders. The party viewed the removal of the structure as part of a broader strategy to assert control and limit the visibility of opposition figures following the BJP’s rise to power in the state.
Adding to the controversy, Banerjee claimed on Wednesday that police were surveilling his home. He shared a video on social media to substantiate these allegations, which coincided with the heavy security presence observed during the demolition.