MAITC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that Kolkata Police personnel were conducting surveillance around his Kalighat residence in south Kolkata and claimed that another attack on him was being planned, even as a temporary tin shed outside his house was removed following police directions.
The Diamond Harbour MP posted a video on X, alleging that police personnel were using official vehicles to conduct reconnaissance near his residence and illegally keeping him under surveillance. Hours later, workers were seen removing the temporary tin shed outside his house, which was allegedly erected by encroaching on the footpath.
Banerjee claimed that a similar reconnaissance exercise had been conducted last week, a day before a group of people allegedly attacked his residence on November 7 during celebrations marking his birthday.
"Once again, Kolkata Police officials are using vehicles to conduct surveillance around my residence and snoop on me," he said, alleging that police had failed to arrest anyone involved in the incident even after four days.
"I have serious reasons to believe another attack is being planned," he said, questioning whether the objective was to intimidate him and silence his voice.
The video posted by Banerjee showed two persons wearing white helmets on a motorcycle near his residence. Another motorcycle bearing the Kolkata Police insignia was also seen parked close to the house, while a person was seen standing beside it and speaking on a mobile phone while looking towards the residence.
Alleging misuse of the police machinery, Banerjee questioned why the BJP government was afraid of his voice and accused the administration of failing to act despite repeated complaints.
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The allegations came four days after tensions erupted outside Banerjee's Kalighat residence during celebrations marking his birthday on November 7.
The MAITC leader had then alleged a conspiracy to assassinate him and accused the BJP of orchestrating the unrest. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also criticised the BJP over the incident.
MAITC MLA Kunal Ghosh, considered close to the Kalighat camp, backed Abhishek's concerns and questioned the police's failure to arrest those allegedly involved.
"Why have the police not yet recreated the sequence of events outside Abhishek's residence? It has been established that the person involved belongs to the BJP. Why is the police not arresting them? Naturally, Abhishek will have reasons to remain apprehensive. The police administration should be alert," Ghosh said.
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Senior BJP leader and MLA Ritesh Tiwari countered the allegations, accusing the MAITC of using the police for political purposes during its 15-year rule in West Bengal.
"The TMC has used police to serve political purposes by threatening opposition parties. Now all of a sudden the same police force has turned into an eyesore," he said.
CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said the police should investigate the matter rather than allowing it to become a recurring political controversy.
"Abhishek Banerjee cannot keep expressing apprehensions about attacks on his residence everyday, and expect political reactions to follow each time. Let the police look into it," he said.
West Bengal Pradesh Congress spokesperson Suman Roy Chowdhury said any alleged legal violation by the MAITC MP should be addressed through established legal procedures rather than politically motivated action.
"If Abhishek Banerjee has committed any offence, or if his house is illegal, the matter should be adjudicated directly through the legal process. No action should be taken with political motives," he said.
The controversy has brought renewed attention to security arrangements around Banerjee's residence and the police response to the November 7 incident, with the MAITC leadership demanding action against those allegedly responsible.