TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee accused Bengal Police of political intimidation after officials partially demolished his constituency office in Amtala on July 19, 2026 [1].
The incident escalates tensions between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP-led state administration, highlighting the volatile nature of local governance and law enforcement in West Bengal.
Bengal Police said the demolition occurred because the office violated building-rule regulations [2]. However, the TMC alleges the action was a targeted attempt at political intimidation by the government [3].
Banerjee described the police action as a targeted attack on his political infrastructure. "This is theft in uniform," Banerjee said [4].
The BJP responded to the accusations by suggesting that the TMC seek judicial intervention. Agnimitra Paul, a BJP leader, said that no one is above the law and legal remedies are available [5].
The dispute comes amid broader accusations of electoral interference in the region. Mamata Banerjee, the TMC chief, recently renewed attacks on the BJP, where she said they manipulated EVMs and counting [6].
While some reports indicate the office was partially demolished [4], other summaries suggest a full demolition took place [5]. The site remains a flashpoint for supporters of both parties in the South 24-Parganas district.
“"This is theft in uniform."”
The demolition of a high-profile politician's office underscores the deepening divide between the TMC and the BJP in West Bengal. By framing a building-code enforcement action as 'theft in uniform,' the TMC is positioning the event as a symptom of state-sponsored harassment. Conversely, the BJP's insistence on legal remedies shifts the burden of proof to the TMC, attempting to frame the issue as a matter of administrative law rather than political persecution.
