New Delhi, July 18, 2026

Political tensions in West Bengal intensified after the demolition of Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee's office in Amtala, South 24 Parganas. The district administration said the action was taken because the structure was allegedly built without an approved building plan and no response was received to repeated notices seeking the required documents and approvals.

The demolition was carried out on Saturday morning with a bulldozer under heavy police security after the area was cordoned off. Officials said notices were issued on June 30 and July 7, asking for explanations and documents related to the construction. Banerjee was also directed to appear before the district administration on July 15. According to the administration, no reply was submitted to either notice, and he did not appear as instructed, leading the authorities to proceed with stricter action.

The Trinamool Congress condemned the demolition, accusing the BJP of carrying out an act of political revenge. In a statement, the party said, "This matter is already pending before the Court. However, a new culture has been introduced in Bengal - the bulldozer culture since the BJP came to power. What we witnessed today was an act of vengeance and dirty, violent politics, with 'goonda raj' on full display."

The development comes amid significant political changes in the state. After losing power, the Trinamool Congress was reduced to 80 seats in the 294-member Assembly, while the BJP secured 208 constituencies and formed the government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Since the election defeat, the party has also witnessed internal rebellions, with several MLAs, Lok Sabha MPs and Rajya Sabha MPs leaving the organisation to join other political parties, further reshaping West Bengal's political landscape.