Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: Recent allegations made by veteran Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee have sparked a fresh controversy in state politics. By accusing Kasba MLA Javed Khan and his family of illegal construction, irregular flat sales, and defrauding the public, he has effectively called into question the administrative conduct of the Trinamool government during its long tenure.
Questions are being raised: if this illegal construction had been going on for years, why was the then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee unaware of the matter? And if she *was* aware, why was no action taken?
The role of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is also coming under scrutiny. Firhad Hakim has long held key administrative responsibilities, serving as the Mayor of Kolkata, the Minister for Municipal Affairs, and overseeing building-related departments. How, then, were approvals granted for the high-rises currently facing such intense questioning? Where was the KMC’s oversight mechanism? Why did allegations of illegal construction not surface earlier?
Most significantly, these questions have not been raised by the opposition; the allegations have come from a senior MP within the Trinamool party itself. Consequently, the issue is shifting from a matter of political attack to one of administrative accountability.
Kalyan Banerjee’s statements clearly imply that the illegal construction is not an isolated incident but part of a larger, long-standing problem. Naturally, this raises the question: if an investigation takes place, will it be confined solely to Javed Khan or a few developers, or will its scope extend to the higher echelons of the administration?
Under the law, when allegations of illegal construction are substantiated, investigators typically examine the approval process, administrative oversight, and the roles of the officials in charge. Viewed from this perspective, Kalyan Banerjee’s allegations have brought a new question to the fore: if the investigation into the controversial constructions in Tiljala and surrounding areas proceeds, will there be growing demands to scrutinize the administrative roles of Mamata Banerjee and Firhad Hakim as well?
Although Kalyan Banerjee did not level direct accusations against them, his statements have raised several questions that make it difficult to overlook the role of the government at the time and the accountability of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. By targeting Javed Khan, has Kalyan Banerjee also opened the door to a potential investigation against Mamata Banerjee and Firhad Hakim?
At the same time, another point has become clear from Kalyan Banerjee's statement. If there is any substance to his allegations, then the current government's firm stance against illegal construction and its decision to demolish unauthorized high-rises would appear fully justified. This is because it is the administration's duty to uphold the law, rising above any political affiliations or influence. Taking action against illegal construction is essential to ensure public safety, maintain urban planning standards, and uphold the rule of law.