Dilip Ghosh targets Mamata Banerjee over joining hawkers’ march in Kolkata, says TMC enabled road encroachments
The Statesman | 18 June 2026
The debate over hawker evictions in West Bengal took a political turn on Thursday after BJP leader Dilip Ghosh launched a sharp attack on former chief minister Mamata Banerjee for participating in a protest march against alleged forced removals of roadside vendors.
The remarks came a day after Banerjee joined a rally in Kolkata’s Dharmatala area alongside hawkers and Trinamool Congress workers. The protest was organised against what the party described as illegal and inhumane eviction drives across the state.
Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Ghosh alleged that the current situation was the result of policies pursued by the ruling Trinamool Congress and held Banerjee responsible for allowing encroachments on roads.
“The condition of Mamata Banerjee is such that she neither has a party, nor her workers, nor her party office. Right now, she is making a last-ditch effort to remain in the media by joining the hawkers. She is only responsible for those hawkers from whom she has taken money and allowed to sit on the roads,” Ghosh said.
He also defended action against encroachments and said roads must remain accessible to the public.
“The government will make the roads smooth and bring relief to people’s lives. Therefore, if anyone sits on roads, it will not work,” he added.
The Trinamool Congress maintained that the protest was aimed at protecting the livelihood of hawkers affected by recent eviction drives.
In a post on X, the party said Banerjee, along with senior leaders and workers, participated in a peaceful demonstration against the removal of hawkers from different parts of the state.
“Our Hon’ble Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, alongside party leaders and dedicated workers, led a peaceful protest march against the illegal, unjust and deeply inhumane eviction of hawkers across Bengal. The people of Bengal have always come first,” the party said.
The TMC also accused the BJP of acting out of political interests and asserted that it would continue to defend the dignity and livelihood of people in the state.
Tensions over the issue escalated earlier this month after authorities carried out an anti-encroachment drive on Jadavpur Station Road on June 7.
During the operation, multiple bulldozers demolished makeshift shops and hawker stalls. The action drew protests from local residents, activists and students, who gathered at the site and raised slogans against the demolition.
As demonstrations intensified, police used lathis to disperse protesters. Central forces, state police personnel and members of the Rapid Action Force were deployed in the area.