Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien fell on a staircase amid chaotic scenes at party leader Abhishek Banerjee’s Camac Street office on Thursday as police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials moved in to remove a billboard that the civic authorities said had been installed illegally. Videos from the spot showed a tense confrontation inside the building as TMC leaders, supporters and security personnel attempted to prevent police and civic officials from proceeding towards the roof. Amid the pushing and jostling on the staircase, O’Brien lost his balance and fell.
O’Brien later alleged that more than 150 police personnel had entered the building and accused them of pushing and shoving TMC leaders. He claimed the KMC team had arrived around 3.30 pm with an incomplete notice that did not carry adequate details or the photograph referred to in the document.
The TMC also alleged that O’Brien, Banerjee and members of the office staff were manhandled during the operation. Police, however, accused TMC workers of obstructing officials and assaulting personnel attempting to carry out the civic action.
Billboard sparks confrontation
The confrontation began after KMC officials, accompanied by police, arrived at Banerjee’s office to dismantle an All India Trinamool Congress billboard installed on an iron structure on the upper portion of the building.
Officials maintained that the structure was unauthorised and said the civic body had received a complaint regarding it. A demolition team equipped with gas cutters was brought to the premises.
Banerjee challenged the legality of the operation and demanded that officials show him the complaint and proper authorisation for entering the premises. He alleged that the notice produced by the civic authorities was incomplete and argued that police and KMC personnel could not forcibly enter what he described as private property.
As officials attempted to move upstairs, TMC leaders and workers blocked their path, leading to scuffles. Police eventually reached the roof and the KMC team dismantled the billboard and its framework.
Police detained 12 people in connection with the confrontation, while the TMC alleged that its workers and office staff had been wrongfully taken away.
Abhishek alleges political vendetta
Banerjee accused the administration of selectively targeting the TMC and described the operation as political vendetta. He questioned why other billboards in the area had not faced similar action and alleged that the BJP and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari were behind the move.
The Diamond Harbour MP streamed portions of the confrontation live on social media and alleged that senior party leaders and women staff members had been manhandled. He said the party would challenge the action before the Calcutta High Court.
By evening, Banerjee had approached the High Court seeking to challenge the civic action. His lawyer sought an urgent hearing, with the matter expected to be mentioned before the court on Friday.
Police allege obstruction
Police and civic authorities rejected the TMC’s allegations and maintained that officials were carrying out their duties in connection with an unauthorised billboard.
Police alleged that personnel were manhandled while attempting to enter the premises and that TMC workers obstructed public servants from performing their duties. KMC maintained that the billboard violated municipal rules and therefore had to be removed.
The incident triggered a fresh political confrontation in West Bengal, with the TMC accusing the administration of using police and civic authorities against the Opposition while the BJP rejected the allegations and maintained that the KMC was merely enforcing the law.