The TMC-controlled Kolkata Municipal Corporation has issued demolition notices to 17 properties linked to party MP Abhishek Banerjee, sparking speculation about internal friction within the party.
KMC’s Demolition Notices to Abhishek Banerjee
In an unusual political twist, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), controlled by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), sent demolition notices to 17 properties linked to Abhishek Banerjee, the party’s vice president and nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The notices, issued under Section 401 of the Kolkata Municipal Act, cited unauthorized construction and demanded demolition within seven days. The properties targeted include Abhishek’s residence “Shantiniketan” on Harish Mukherjee Road, homes of his parents, and the offices of his company, Leaps and Bounds.
The move has raised eyebrows because a civic body under the party’s control appeared to act against one of its own top leaders. Adding to the controversy, the BJP released a list of 43 properties allegedly linked to Abhishek Banerjee, including some owned jointly with aides. TMC leaders, including Saket Gokhale, argued that many of these properties belonged to other individuals sharing the same name, suggesting errors in the compilation of the list. This scenario has led to debates about accuracy, intent, and potential factional influence behind the notices.
Factional Tensions and Party Dynamics
The situation has brought long-standing tensions between Abhishek Banerjee and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim into the spotlight. Hakim, representing the old guard of TMC, claimed he had no knowledge of the notices, emphasizing that municipal commissioners hold independent authority under the KMC Act. However, the fact that 14 of the 17 properties were in Kolkata’s Borough IX, an area overseen by Trinamool councillor Debalina Biswas, adds a layer of political intrigue. Biswas resigned from her position, citing pressure from party leadership after the notices were issued, highlighting potential factional maneuvering within the party.
Observers note that friction between Hakim and Abhishek’s youth-led faction has a history. In 2023, disputes over a parking fee hike exposed the underlying divide, with TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, an Abhishek ally, forcing a reversal of the decision. The current notices have reignited speculation about whether the move is a bureaucratic exercise, a display of intra-party rivalry, or part of a broader political strategy following recent elections in West Bengal.
Amid the controversy, Abhishek Banerjee has maintained a firm stance, asserting he would not “bow down” even if the government demolished his house. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee reportedly expressed anger at Hakim during a meeting with the mayor and mayoral council, demanding explanations. The scenario has intensified scrutiny on KMC’s autonomy, the mayor’s role, and the party’s internal cohesion, leaving political analysts debating the real motivations behind the notices.
The unfolding developments illustrate how internal politics, bureaucratic powers, and factional rivalries can intersect in high-stakes regional governance. Whether the demolition notices mark an isolated administrative action or signal deeper intra-party conflicts, the incident highlights the complex and often opaque interplay of power, loyalty, and strategy within the TMC. As political observers closely watch reactions in Kolkata, the story continues to evolve, reflecting the unpredictable nature of party politics in West Bengal.
