A Trinamool Congress party office on Debendra Chandra Dey Street near Tangra in Kolkata was demolished using a payloader on Saturday. The office had allegedly been painted saffron following the Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in the recent Assembly election. The demolition took place after the landowner, Jharna Kundu, informed a BJP functionary that the party had forcibly occupied the site.
Landowner's Account
Jharna Kundu stated that her family had a tile-shed house on the property and had received permission from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to construct a four-storey building in 2011. However, local Trinamool members took over a portion of the land, claiming they would set up a club, which later turned into a party office. After the BJP's election win on May 4, Trinamool members reportedly broke items, painted the office saffron, and displayed photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kundu added that there were drinking sessions and loud DJ music until 2 am. On May 15, they wrote to BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya and eventually regained control of their land.
Minister's Response
State municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul criticized Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim, questioning the proliferation of unauthorized buildings and encroachments over the past 15 years. Paul asked why the mayor had not checked illegal structures during this period. She alleged administrative apathy, citing a recent fire at an illegal godown. Paul stated that her government would not evade responsibility and would be accountable for such incidents. She mentioned that minor deviations could be regularized through compliance, urging those without fire or trade licenses to apply. Paul claimed that constructions without permission, facilitated by bribes to TMC leaders, did not happen overnight, demanding answers from Hakim.
