The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), overseen by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has issued demolition notices to 17 properties associated with Abhishek Banerjee, the party’s MP and nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This action has raised eyebrows, as it suggests a potential rift within the party, leading to speculation about underlying political tensions. The controversy began on May 20, 2026, when the KMC alerted property owners about alleged unauthorised constructions linked to Banerjee, including his family residences and his company, Leaps and Bounds.

The notices reportedly demanded that the identified structures be demolished within seven days. Notably, the property at Harish Mukherjee Road, known as ‘Shantiniketan’, which serves as Abhishek Banerjee’s residence, was included in the list. Similar notices were dispatched to properties owned by his parents.

BJP Publishes List of Additional Properties

The situation escalated further when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released a list of 43 properties purportedly associated with Abhishek Banerjee, suggesting that several were jointly owned with his aides. The BJP sourced this information from the KMC’s database. However, TMC leader Saket Gokhale responded critically, stating that the list contained properties owned by various individuals named Abhishek Banerjee, not just the one representing Diamond Harbour.

This remark shifted the focus back to the KMC’s actions and prompted questions about the motivations behind targeting a high-profile party member. The incident has led to speculation regarding the dynamics within the TMC, specifically concerning Mayor Firhad Hakim, who has faced scrutiny for his handling of the matter and past conflicts with Abhishek Banerjee.

Hakim, when addressing reporters, expressed ignorance about the notices. He stated that as policymakers, they had no prior knowledge of the developments from the KMC Act, underscoring a perceived disconnect within the party’s organised structure.

Internal Party Struggles Highlighted

The notices issued to Abhishek Banerjee fall under Section 401 of the Kolkata Municipal Act, which grants the municipal commissioner the authority to act independently. Critics are now questioning whether the KMC still operates under TMC’s control, given the current circumstances. Speculations have emerged that junior staff members may be responsible for the release of the properties list, further complicating the narrative.

Political analyst Siddhartha Sengupta noted that the true intrigue lies not solely in the issuance of notices to Banerjee, but rather in the implications of such actions emanating from Hakim’s KMC. Past confrontations between Hakim, representing long-term party leadership, and the youthful faction led by Banerjee have previously surfaced, culminating in public disagreements over city policies, such as a recent parking fee hike.

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