Scuffles, stairway showdown at Abhishek office as cops, KMC move to remove ‘illegal’ billboard
Times of India | 28 August 2026
Kolkata: High drama unfolded on Thursday afternoon as a joint team of KMC officials and police arrived at the Camac Street office of Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee to remove a billboard bearing the party’s name. This led to scuffles, arguments, and accusations from both sides.
A large cop contingent surrounded the building and detained 12 individuals. By evening, Abhishek approached Calcutta High Court challenging the action. Lawyer Arka Nag requested an urgent hearing before the Acting Chief Justice’s bench, which indicated the matter could be mentioned on Friday.
KMC claimed the roof structure was installed illegally following a complaint by Kolkata Police. The KMC advertisement and buildings departments conducted the raid, bringing a demolition team armed with gas cutters to dismantle the iron framework. Upon their arrival, Abhishek reached the spot with party seniors Derek O’Brien and Baishwanar Chattopadhyay. Abhishek questioned the officials, said the notice was incomplete and invalid as it lacked an official stamp, signature, memo number, or photograph.
Inside, supporters chanted slogans and jostled with officials, forcing the KMC team to temporarily retreat. Officials returned with a larger force, including the anti-rowdy squad, which cordoned off the exterior. As authorities moved upstairs, scuffles broke out. Police accused supporters of manhandling personnel, while Abhishek and his team, including woman members, blocked the stairwell. As officials tried to push their way through, Derek, who was shoved, fell on the stairs.
Helmeted cops eventually forced their way to the roof, broke the lock, tore down the banner, and removed the framework. Police accused party netas of obstructing public servants, while TMC accused police of harassing women. KMC maintained the board was illegal and had to be removed.
Terming the action “unlawful interference in private property,” Abhishek alleged political vendetta by the BJP and CM Suvendu Adhikari. He stated that there was an attempt to destroy Trinamool, asking why the BJP was afraid to let TMC hold rallies, and added that cutting the “grass-flower” only makes it grow more.
Pointing to adjacent commercial displays, Abhishek said nearby boards over the footpath were ignored, alleging that illegal builders were spared because of ties with BJP.
During the incident, Abhishek streamed live on Facebook for over nine minutes, stating, “They are not letting us enter our premises. It is 5.49 pm, well after sunset, and they entered after breaking the lock... Kolkata Police are using force to do the Chief Minister’s bidding... Women have been molested. We have recordings of everything... This arrogance of power will not last long.”
Industries minister Tapas Ray said, “Other offices in the building might have objected to the party’s banner... If the entire property is owned by Trinamool, they can do whatever they want. But in case the building has other owners or tenants, they may register an objection. He is accusing the BJP of orchestrating that. Going by that logic, everything that happened in the last 15 years was instigated by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek.”