Kolkata Police visited the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday, following a controversy over property notices issued by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). The KMC had served notices to 17 properties linked to Banerjee, alleging unauthorised construction. The visit came after a seven-day deadline for Banerjee to respond to the notices had elapsed.
Details of the Police Visit
According to sources, a team of Kolkata Police arrived at Banerjee's residence in the afternoon. While no official reason for the visit was confirmed, authorities suspect that non-compliance with the KMC notices triggered the action. The police team reportedly spent about 30 minutes at the premises before leaving. Banerjee was not present at the time of the visit, as he was in Delhi attending parliamentary sessions.
Political Context and Reactions
The incident has further escalated the ongoing political confrontation between the ruling TMC and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal. The BJP has been accusing the TMC of shielding illegal constructions and engaging in corrupt practices. In response, the TMC has labeled the actions as a targeted vendetta by the central government against opposition leaders.
Meanwhile, demolition drives against alleged illegal structures linked to TMC leaders continue across the state. These operations have intensified the debate over what the BJP calls “bulldozer politics” – a term used to describe the use of administrative machinery against political opponents. The TMC, on the other hand, argues that these drives are selective and politically motivated.
Background of the Property Notice Controversy
The KMC issued notices to 17 properties associated with Abhishek Banerjee earlier this month, citing unauthorised construction and violation of building norms. The notices gave Banerjee a seven-day window to submit relevant documents and explanations. The deadline expired on Monday, and the police visit on Tuesday suggests that the civic body may have escalated the matter to law enforcement.
Impact on Governance and Accountability
The controversy has raised questions about governance and accountability in West Bengal. The BJP has been using the issue to target the TMC government, accusing it of failing to enforce laws uniformly. The TMC, however, maintains that the notices are part of a broader conspiracy to undermine the state government ahead of upcoming elections.
As the political battle intensifies, both parties are expected to use the property notice issue to rally their supporters. The situation remains fluid, with further developments anticipated in the coming days.
