Abhishek Banerjee reacts to bulldozer action at Kalighat residence
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee alleged political vendetta after Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials demolished structures outside his home.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials used a bulldozer on Thursday morning to remove a temporary bamboo structure and a martyr memorial from the footpath outside Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat. According to reports from ANI and Bhaskar English, the civic body stated the structures caused inconvenience to pedestrians and local residents.
The demolition included a cement platform, iron poles, and railings at a party martyr memorial. Officials also used gas-cutting equipment to remove an iron gate. Before the demolition, TMC flags were removed from the memorial poles, according to Bhaskar English.
Abhishek Banerjee lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that the action was an attempt to interfere with a TMC symbol dispute case. He claimed the demolition, following alleged surveillance and an attack on his residence-cum-office on the night of November 6 and 7, aggravated concerns regarding his safety and the protection of documents.
Banerjee stated on X that no number of bulldozers could silence his voice or break his resolve. He said he would continue his fight against the 'Bangla Birodhis' and would not retreat.
TMC spokesperson Arka Nag said the bamboo shed was originally constructed by the West Bengal Directorate of Security for personnel when Banerjee had Z-plus security. He added that the office had decided to remove the structure after the security cover was withdrawn.
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh dismissed the allegations as an attempt to mislead people, questioning why anyone would target the TMC leader. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar also criticised the TMC for holding celebrations on a public road.