Kolkata, August 28: Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials, with the assistance of Kolkata police, successfully removed a large billboard from the rooftop of Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee’s party office on Thursday. The billboard prominently displayed the All India Trinamool Congress name and logo.
This operation was the second attempt by KMC and police officials. Initially, when the joint team arrived at the office in the afternoon, Banerjee and his associates questioned the legal validity of the KMC notice. Banerjee argued that the notice was invalid as it did not include a photo of the billboard with the order.
KMC officials returned to obtain a revised order. They soon came back with the updated documentation, and this time, police cordoned off the entire area. KMC officials, accompanied by police, then proceeded to the rooftop to remove the billboard.
Banerjee was joined by Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien, who attempted to block the officials’ path. Some female Trinamool activists also participated in obstructing the way. A scuffle broke out between the police and Trinamool supporters, during which O’Brien fell down the stairs.
Following the altercation, police cleared the way for KMC officials to access the rooftop, dismantle the billboard, and remove it. A heavy police presence was deployed to prevent further escalation of tensions.
Earlier, Banerjee had criticized the state government, KMC, and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. He alleged that the administration was targeting Trinamool offices.
The TMC MP claimed there was a concerted effort to eliminate the Trinamool Congress. “Why is the BJP so scared? The ruling party and administration are attacking leaders, destroying party offices, and tearing down billboards. What are they afraid of? I want to tell Suvendu Adhikari that the Trinamool Congress symbol is the grass flower. The more it is cut, the more it will grow,” he stated.
He also accused the administration of specifically targeting the billboard at their party office on Kamak Street, while many other billboards in the area remained untouched.
The MP announced plans to challenge this action in the Calcutta High Court, asserting that no one is above the Indian Constitution.
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