Will Bulldozers Roll into Abhishek Banerjee's 'Santiniketan'?

Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency: Kolkata Municipal Corporation Issues Notice Over Illegal Construction. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has now issued a notice regarding the residence of Trinamool's All-India General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee. The municipal administration has swung into action to investigate allegations of illegal construction across several properties, including his 'Santiniketan' residence in Kalighat. The notice explicitly states that if unauthorized construction is proven, it must be demolished within a specified timeframe; otherwise, the Corporation itself will take punitive action. Since assuming office, the Chief Minister—along with Suvendu Adhikari—had signaled a firm stance against illegal construction across the state. Bulldozer-led demolition drives have already commenced in various districts. Now, Abhishek Banerjee's name has also appeared on that list.

According to sources, a notice has already been affixed to 'Santiniketan'—Abhishek's well-known residence located on Harish Chatterjee Street in Kolkata. Additionally, the Corporation has raised questions regarding the property at 121 Kalighat Road, although it is understood that this particular property is registered in the name of Abhishek's mother. Official records also identify this property as belonging to 'Leaps and Bounds.'

The Municipal Corporation has sought clarification as to whether the constructions in question were executed in strict adherence to approved building plans. Furthermore, if any additional structures were erected, the Corporation has demanded the submission of relevant documents proving that the necessary permissions were obtained for such extensions.

Sources claim that the notice stipulates a seven-day deadline. It further warns that if the unauthorized structures are not voluntarily demolished within this period, the Municipal Corporation reserves the right to take direct action. Consequently, speculation is rife within political circles: will bulldozers truly roll into Abhishek's residence this time?

Addressing this issue, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim stated, "I have not been contacted regarding the issuance of this notice. I have no knowledge of this matter." Conversely, BJP MLA Tapas Roy offered a sarcastic retort: ​​"If a notice has indeed been issued, then it is absolutely the right course of action."

Given the current political climate in the state, this incident has sparked a fresh round of political friction. Political observers believe that this move by the Municipal Corporation—targeting the property of a top leader of the ruling party—could potentially ignite an even larger political controversy in the days to come.