Kolkata: A bulldozer was brought outside TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's residence in Kolkata on Thursday as civic workers demolished a temporary bamboo shed built
over a footpath and removed an iron gate allegedly blocking pedestrian movement. A large number of Kolkata Police personnel and central forces were deployed outside the TMC national general secretary's residence at 121, Kalighat Road, as municipal workers used a bulldozer to pull down the temporary structure. Workers later removed the bamboo poles and cleared the footpath. An iron gate installed outside the boundary wall of the residence was also being dismantled with a gas cutter over allegations that it had encroached on the footpath. The civic action comes amid a political row over the structure, with the TMC alleging police surveillance outside Banerjee's residence. The controversy escalated on Wednesday after Banerjee accused police personnel of keeping watch on his residence using vehicles. He also shared a video on social media to support his claim. Police personnel again reached the area outside his residence on Wednesday evening. The TMC claimed they had come to oversee the removal of the shed. Meanwhile, staff at Banerjee's office had started dismantling the temporary structure themselves on Wednesday. TMC spokesperson Arka Nag said the shed had originally been built by the West Bengal Directorate of Security when Banerjee had Z-plus security cover. It was meant to provide shelter to personnel deployed for 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 TMC maintained that the structure was built for security purposes and was not an unauthorised construction put up by the MP. However, civic authorities arrived on Thursday morning to complete the demolition and clear the footpath. The structure had also drawn complaints from local residents, who alleged that it blocked pedestrian movement and forced people to walk through an already congested stretch of road. The controversy first came into focus on November 6, when tensions broke out in Kalighat during celebrations marking Banerjee's birthday. A large number of people had gathered under the temporary shed during the celebrations. The developments have taken on a political dimension following the change of government in West Bengal, with the BJP now in power and the TMC taking the role of the principal opposition party. Banerjee's allegations of police surveillance on Wednesday, followed by Thursday's bulldozer action and heavy security deployment outside his residence, have further escalated the political confrontation.
