- Kolkata civic workers demolished a temporary bamboo shed and removed an iron gate outside Abhishek Banerjee’s residence on Kalighat Road.
- The party said the shed was originally constructed by the Directorate of Security to accommodate personnel assigned to Banerjee’s Z-plus security cover.
- The operation followed Banerjee’s allegations of police surveillance and comes amid heightened tensions between the BJP-led government and the TMC.
Kolkata: A bulldozer was deployed outside the Kolkata residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday as civic authorities removed a temporary bamboo structure and an iron gate allegedly obstructing pedestrian movement.
The operation took place outside Banerjee’s residence at 121, Kalighat Road, in the presence of a large contingent of Kolkata Police personnel and central security forces.
Municipal workers used a bulldozer to dismantle the temporary shed erected over the footpath. They also removed bamboo poles and other materials from the area. An iron gate outside the boundary wall was dismantled using a gas cutter.
Civic Body Says Structure Obstructed Pedestrian Movement
The civic action was undertaken to clear the footpath, which authorities said was being obstructed by the temporary structure and the iron gate.
Local residents and pedestrians had reportedly raised concerns that the structure restricted their movement and forced people to use the congested road instead of the footpath.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials proceeded with the removal operation on Thursday morning, with security arrangements in place to prevent any law-and-order disturbance.
TMC Says Bamboo Shed Was Built for Security Personnel
The demolition has triggered a political controversy, with the TMC maintaining that the structure was originally erected for security purposes.
TMC spokesperson Arka Nag said the bamboo shed had been constructed by the West Bengal Directorate of Security when Abhishek Banerjee was provided Z-plus security cover.
According to Nag, the structure was intended to accommodate personnel assigned to the MP’s protection. He said the additional security cover had subsequently been withdrawn, making the shed unnecessary.
The party also maintained that the structure was not an unauthorised construction put up by Banerjee.
TMC representatives said Banerjee’s office staff had already started dismantling the shed on Wednesday evening. However, civic authorities maintained that the entire structure and the iron gate had not been removed, prompting them to complete the operation on Thursday.
Abhishek Banerjee Had Alleged Police Surveillance
The demolition took place amid a tense political atmosphere around Banerjee’s residence.
On Wednesday, the TMC leader alleged that police personnel were conducting surveillance outside his house using vehicles. He also shared a video on social media to support his allegation.
Police personnel reportedly visited the area again on Wednesday evening. The TMC claimed their presence was connected with the removal of the temporary structure.
The deployment of a large police contingent and central forces during Thursday’s civic operation added another dimension to the political controversy.
Political Tensions After Clashes During Birthday Celebrations
The controversy surrounding the residence comes against the backdrop of tensions in Kalighat during celebrations marking Abhishek Banerjee’s birthday on November 6.
A large number of people had gathered beneath the temporary shed during the celebrations. The incident and subsequent developments brought renewed attention to the structure and its impact on pedestrian movement.
The dispute has also unfolded amid a change in West Bengal’s political landscape, with the BJP-led government now in power and the TMC occupying the Opposition benches.
The latest civic operation is likely to intensify the political exchange between the two parties over allegations of intimidation, security arrangements and the removal of alleged encroachments.
Footpath Clearance Becomes a Political Flashpoint
The removal of the bamboo shed and iron gate has brought the issue of footpath encroachment into focus.
While civic authorities have maintained that the action was necessary to restore pedestrian access, the TMC has questioned the circumstances surrounding the operation and defended the original security-related purpose of the structure.
The developments highlight how a municipal anti-encroachment drive has become part of a wider political confrontation in West Bengal.
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