Kolkata: Montu Saha, the owner of the property off the EM Bypass that once housed the Trinamool Congress (TMC) headquarters, has initiated cleaning operations as a preliminary step toward reclaiming his building. Saha, who owns Modern Decorators—a company that previously secured most contracts to construct makeshift stages for TMC events—holds the four-storey structure at A-P-1/A Canal South Road. He rented the premises to the party in 2022 for use as its temporary headquarters.
Although the tenancy agreement lapsed in late 2025, Saha faced difficulties contacting any party leaders. Consequently, he submitted a formal request to the Pragati Maidan Police Station, seeking the return of his property. Sources indicate that Saha has since communicated with TMC functionaries, who assured him that the party would vacate the building by July, as previously promised. He also ensured that portions of the building not covered by the tenancy agreement would be vacated immediately for his use.
Neither Saha nor his son offered comments on the matter. However, Inamur Rehman, the family’s lawyer, stated, “Only a portion of the ground, first, and second floors were under the tenancy agreement. The third floor, fourth floor, and terrace were never rented to them. The family visited the site on Tuesday and decided to resume their business on the third and fourth floors. Additionally, the portion of the ground floor that was not part of the agreement will now be utilized by the owner.”
A Times of India team visited the site on Wednesday and observed renovation work already underway on the third and fourth floors. Although Saha had only rented out the first and second floors, the other two floors were also being used by the TMC to store materials for party functions. The party has finally begun shifting multiple green chairs, banners, and posters that had been stocked on the third and fourth floors before the 2026 assembly election. A team of workers has been assigned to clean and vacate these two floors so renovations can proceed.
During their visit to the property, Saha’s son, Amit, stated that they wanted the building back for maintenance in order to reopen their business. Before renting the property to the TMC, the family operated a hotel there; however, they paused operations during the pandemic due to mounting losses and subsequently leased the space to the TMC, which was shifting its headquarters from the Topsia Road plot. The property was initially rented to the TMC in 2022 under a one-and-a-half-year lease. This was later extended for another two years before finally expiring in late 2025.
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