Arms stashed inside Raj Bhawan? West Bengal Governor leads combing operation, issues 24-hour ‘apology ultimatum’ to TMC MP
The Statesman | 18 November 2025
Following claims by Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee that arms were stashed inside the Raj Bhawan, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Monday led a combing operation inside the premises. The Joint Combing Operation was carried out by the Kolkata Police, the Raj Bhavan Police Outpost, the CRPF, the Bomb Squad, and the Dog Squad, and was personally supervised by the Governor. The Disaster Management and Civil Defence Departments were also scheduled to carry out firefighting drills at the Raj Bhawan today.
The combing operation inside the entire Raj Bhawan building and its precincts was carried out on the instructions of the West Bengal Governor after the TMC MP’s claims that arms and ammunition were stashed within the premises. The entire operation was reportedly live-streamed.
On Saturday, Kalyan Banerjee had accused Governor Bose of “sheltering BJP criminals” inside the Raj Bhavan and “arming them with bombs and guns”.
Governor Bose was on a short trip to North Bengal, but he decided to cut short his trip and return to Kolkata to personally lead the combing operation, an official said.
In order to ensure a smooth combing operation, the Raj Bhavan premises were vacated in the afternoon. Further, members of the civil society and journalists were permitted to witness the exercise.
Speaking to the media after the combing operation, Governor Bose said no alleged arms or ammunition have been found. He added that once the truth is established, a strong action will be taken against the TMC MP unless he apologises within 24 hours.
“Sniffer dogs and bomb squad were there. It was a joint operation between the state and central forces. Nothing has been unearthed, but I still want the total combing operation in the Raj Bhawan to establish the truth before the people of Bengal. After this, I will take whatever action is required. Strong, effective, and proactive action will be taken…
“I made it very clear, and it is not an ultimatum. He (TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee) has the option to apologise before the people of Bengal if he finds his allegations to be baseless. For that choice, I gave 24 hours. Now, if he does not apologise to the people of Bengal, strong legal action will be taken,” the Governor said.
Banerjee had levelled the allegation on Saturday shortly after Governor Bose had stated that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal was important to “clean up the election process”.
Following the TMC MP’s allegations, Bose had yesterday stated that he was seeking legal advice on the matter. Banerjee had responded by saying he was ready for a court battle, adding the Governor could not intimidate him.