The Kolkata Municipal Corporation removed a bamboo structure from the footpath outside Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat on Thursday, prompting him to approach the Election Commission with allegations of intimidation and concerns over documents linked to an ongoing party symbol dispute.
KMC officials said the structure was obstructing pedestrians and inconveniencing people using the footpath. A civic body bulldozer arrived near Banerjee’s residence during the morning operation, while a large contingent of central forces was deployed outside the premises.
In his complaint to the Election Commission, Banerjee linked the civic action to what he described as a series of security-related incidents around his residence-cum-office. He alleged that a group of people attacked the premises during the intervening night of November 6 and 7, followed by similar acts of surveillance and reconnaissance on November 10 and 11.
Banerjee said the removal of a security gate installed by the police, as described in his complaint, had aggravated concerns about the safety of his documents and other material prepared for proceedings before the Commission. He urged the poll panel to issue directions to authorities to preserve documents connected with the party symbol dispute case.
The complaint also alleged that people associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party, allegedly with the support or connivance of certain police personnel, could attempt to enter the premises or take possession of affidavits and other materials. These claims were made by Banerjee in his representation to the Election Commission and were not independently established in the supplied report.
The KMC action came days after late-night clashes between BJP and TMC workers outside Banerjee’s residence during celebrations marking his 39th birthday. The latest incident has therefore brought together two separate aspects of the city’s public-space administration: the civic body’s stated enforcement against an obstruction on a footpath and the security concerns raised by a political office-holder.
Banerjee reacted to the demolition in a post on X, saying that bulldozers would not silence him or weaken his resolve. He said he would continue his political fight and would not retreat. The Election Commission’s response to his request, and any further action by civic or police authorities, will determine the next stage of the matter.
