TMC Second in Command Abhishek Banerjee Warns BJP

Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee launched a sharp critique against the BJP on Friday, warning the ruling party at the centre not to cross the line with its political pressure tactics. Addressing the foundation day event of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), Banerjee remarked, “I want to tell the BJP to inflict only as much oppression as people have the capacity to endure.”

The remarks follow a volatile confrontation on Thursday afternoon outside Banerjee’s Camac Street office in Kolkata. Personnel from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), accompanied by heavy police deployment, arrived to dismantle a prominent billboard outside the office, citing it as “illegal.” The operation triggered chaotic scenes, escalating into physical scuffles between Banerjee’s office staff, municipal workers, and law enforcement. Banerjee previously contested the legality of the action, pointing out that the municipal notice lacked official authentication or stamps. Despite resistance, the billboard was eventually removed by late afternoon, and the dispute swiftly moved to the judicial system.

Addressing the controversy from the public platform, Banerjee accused the opposition of using state apparatus vindictively. “Yesterday, they came to illegally dismantle the billboard and signboard of our party office, deploying the entire Kolkata Police force just to take down a single signboard,” he stated.

The legal battle is currently ongoing. During a hearing presided over by Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury, the court observed that there was no immediate scope to grant an interim protective shield, directing that the property owner’s legal validity must be formally communicated to the municipal corporation.

Responding to Banerjee’s allegations, Minister of Urban Development Agnimitra Pal defended the municipal action, stating that democratic channels remain open for legal recourse. “Everyone has the democratic right to approach the court. On numerous occasions previously, Abhishek Banerjee has approached the judiciary and faced setbacks. The billboard is not being dismantled without valid cause.”

Police have registered three separate cases in connection with Thursday’s unrest, invoking multiple non-bailable sections, and have arrested 13 individuals so far.

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