Mamata hits out at BJP over TMC office vandalism, threatens dharnas outside BJP leaders’ Delhi homes

Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condemned the alleged vandalism at the Trinamool Congress’ Camac Street office in Kolkata and warned that her party would stage demonstrations outside the residences of BJP leaders in New Delhi if attacks on the TMC continued.

Addressing the issue through a Facebook Live, Banerjee alleged that BJP-backed men vandalised the party office and took away important documents and electronic equipment. She claimed the incident reflected a deterioration in the law and order situation in the state. “We condemn the vandalism at our party office early in the morning in Kolkata. If this is the law and order situation in Kolkata, just imagine what is prevailing in rural areas,” Banerjee said.

‘Total lawlessness’

The former chief minister alleged that BJP workers carried out the attack after taking the Kolkata Police “in confidence” and accused them of looting documents and equipment from the premises. “BJP goons looted our documents and equipment and vandalised our office by taking Kolkata Police in confidence,” she alleged.

Banerjee, who served three terms as chief minister, accused the BJP of creating “total lawlessness” in West Bengal. She also referred to developments at Jadavpur University, describing them as an example of BJP “hooliganism”. “What happened at Jadavpur University was the hooliganism of the BJP. We condemn this,” she said. The TMC supremo further alleged that attempts were being made to restrict her movement and claimed the chief minister had indicated that she would not be allowed to leave her residence.

Warns of Delhi protests

Banerjee warned that the TMC would intensify its protests if attacks against the party, its leaders and offices continued. “If these atrocities on the TMC don’t stop, we will stage dharnas outside BJP leaders’ homes in New Delhi,” she said. Her remarks came hours after TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee alleged that BJP-backed armed men had vandalised the party’s Camac Street office in the early hours of Thursday.

Abhishek shared purported CCTV footage on social media showing several masked and helmeted men leaving the premises carrying electronic equipment, including television sets and a printer. Footage from inside the office also showed damaged furniture and electronic equipment. Police subsequently arrested six people in connection with the incident, an officer said. The episode has triggered a fresh political confrontation between the TMC and BJP in West Bengal, with the rival parties trading allegations over political violence and the law and order situation in the state.