Bulldozer clears footpath outside TMC MP Abhishek’s home

Workers subsequently removed the bamboo poles and cleared the footpath.

Kolkata: A bulldozer was deployed outside TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s residence here on Thursday, November 12, as civic workers demolished a temporary bamboo shed erected over the footpath and removed an iron gate allegedly obstructing pedestrian movement.

A large contingent of Kolkata Police personnel and central forces was deployed outside the TMC national general secretary’s residence at 121, Kalighat Road, as municipal workers were seen using a bulldozer to pull down the temporary structure.

Workers subsequently removed the bamboo poles and cleared the footpath.

An iron gate installed outside the boundary wall of the residence was also being dismantled using a gas cutter, following allegations that it had encroached on the footpath.

The civic action comes amid a politically charged standoff over the structure, with the TMC alleging police surveillance outside his residence and the BJP-led state government facing questions over the circumstances surrounding the demolition.

The controversy intensified on Wednesday after Banerjee alleged that police personnel were conducting surveillance outside his residence using vehicles. He also posted a video on social media to substantiate his claim.

Police personnel again went near the residence on Wednesday evening. The TMC claimed that the police had gone there to facilitate the removal of the shed.

Abhishek’s office staff had themselves begun dismantling the temporary structure on Wednesday.

TMC spokesperson Arka Nag had said the shed was originally erected by the West Bengal Directorate of Security when Banerjee enjoyed Z-plus security cover to accommodate personnel assigned to his protection.

“The shed was constructed by the police. With the withdrawal of the additional security cover, the structure is no longer required. Therefore, arrangements are being made on behalf of Abhishek Banerjee to remove it,” Nag had said.

The party maintained that the structure had served a security-related purpose and was not an unauthorised construction put up by the MP.

However, the civic authorities moved in on Thursday morning to complete the removal of the structure and clear the stretch of footpath.

The issue has also triggered concerns among local people, several of whom had questioned the presence of the temporary structure, alleging that it restricted pedestrian movement and forced people to negotiate a congested stretch of road.

The controversy dates back to November 6, when tensions flared in Kalighat during celebrations marking Banerjee’s birthday. A large number of people were seen gathering beneath the temporary shed during the celebrations.

The developments have acquired a political edge as they come against the backdrop of a change of government in West Bengal, with the BJP now in power and the TMC seeking to position itself as the principal opposition force.

Banerjee’s allegation of police surveillance outside his residence on Wednesday, followed by the deployment of a bulldozer and a substantial police presence during the civic operation, has added another dimension to the confrontation.