Abhishek Banerjee’s Office Sees High Drama As Cops Remove ‘Illegal’ TMC Billboard

A confrontation broke out between Trinamool Congress supporters and Kolkata Police on Thursday after officials from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) arrived at TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee's office on Camac Street to remove a billboard that authorities alleged had been installed illegally. The action triggered high drama at the Diamond Harbour MP's office, with Banerjee himself engaging in a heated exchange with police and municipal officials.

The billboard, which carried TMC signage, had been installed on an iron structure facing the road on the top floor of the building where Banerjee's office is located. KMC officials alleged that the billboard had been erected without the required permission. Banerjee, however, rejected the allegation and questioned the civic authorities' action. As officials moved to dismantle the structure, the TMC leader was seen arguing with police personnel and municipal officials at the entrance of the building.

According to sources, the action followed a complaint lodged by Kolkata Police with the municipal corporation regarding the billboard at Banerjee's Camac Street office. The complaint reportedly alleged that the structure had been installed illegally. Acting on the complaint, officials from the KMC's advertisement department reached Camac Street on Thursday afternoon to take action against the billboard. The civic team's arrival quickly turned into a political confrontation as TMC supporters gathered at the location.

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Banerjee was seen having a heated argument with the officials for some time at the doorstep of the building. His supporters raised slogans against the police and civic authorities as tensions mounted. The presence of a large group of party workers added to the commotion as officials attempted to carry out the removal. The situation escalated when Kolkata Police personnel forced their way inside the building, allowing the municipal officials to proceed with dismantling the billboard.

The billboard was eventually removed by KMC personnel. It had been placed on an iron framework facing the road and prominently displayed TMC signage. The civic authorities maintained that the installation was unauthorised, while Banerjee refused to accept the claim. The incident has since drawn political attention because the billboard was located at the office of one of the TMC's most prominent leaders and its removal took place amid a confrontation involving party supporters and police.

Banerjee sharply criticised the action and alleged that it was part of a wider attempt to target the Trinamool Congress. “There is a concerted effort to forcibly finish off the Trinamool. Why is the BJP so afraid?” he said while KMC officials attempted to dismantle the billboard. The TMC leader also alleged that authorities were refusing permission for the party's meetings and rallies and accused political opponents of attacking leaders, vandalising party offices and removing party billboards.

The incident adds to the continuing political friction between the TMC and BJP in West Bengal, where disputes over party activities, public meetings, offices and political displays have repeatedly triggered confrontations. In Thursday's case, the immediate dispute centred on whether the billboard at Banerjee's Camac Street office had the required civic permission. While municipal officials acted on a complaint alleging an illegal installation, Banerjee and his supporters strongly objected to the removal. The billboard was ultimately dismantled, bringing the immediate civic action to an end, but the confrontation has given the TMC another opportunity to allege political targeting by its opponents.

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