KMC removes structure outside Abhishek Banerjee's home; BJP minister targets Mamata's family
Synopsis
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation's removal of a temporary structure outside Abhishek Banerjee's residence has handed BJP's Dilip Ghosh a ready-made political weapon — publicly accusing Mamata Banerjee's family of encroaching on public spaces and misusing government facilities. In Bengal's charged political climate, a routine civic action has quickly become a flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation removed a temporary structure outside Abhishek Banerjee's Kolkata residence on 12 November 2026 .
The structure was reportedly installed for security purposes .
BJP's Dilip Ghosh alleged that Mamata Banerjee's family had encroached on footpaths and public spaces by misusing government influence.
Ghosh argued that consistent enforcement against politicians would prompt ordinary citizens to also clear encroachments voluntarily.
Ghosh praised Kolkata hosting the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas , calling it a major opportunity for West Bengal.
He also commented on a reported AIMIM-ASP alliance for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections , cautioning against alliances driven purely by political self-interest.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Thursday, 12 November 2026, removed a temporary structure that had been erected outside the residence of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata. The structure was reportedly installed for security purposes, and its removal by the civic body quickly triggered a sharp political reaction.
BJP Minister's Allegations
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh seized on the KMC action to level a broader charge against the ruling family. Speaking to reporters, Ghosh said, 'Mamata Banerjee's family is the biggest beneficiary of government facilities and has misused them the most. Her family members have encroached upon footpaths and other public spaces. Many politicians have done the same. Bulldozers have been used in the past and are still being used.'
Ghosh further argued that if authorities consistently used bulldozers to remove illegal encroachments by politicians, ordinary citizens would also voluntarily dismantle such structures. The remarks signal an intensifying Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) offensive against the TMC leadership ahead of the 2026 West Bengal political cycle.
Abhishek Banerjee's Political Profile
As the TMC's general secretary and a close relative of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Bengal politics. Any civic action involving his residence carries heightened political sensitivity. The KMC, which functions under state government oversight, has not publicly stated the precise grounds for the removal beyond its routine enforcement mandate.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and 'New Bengal' Push
Separately, Ghosh spoke about the upcoming 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations scheduled to be held in Kolkata, describing the event as a transformative opportunity for the state. 'After the change of government, the entire world and the entire country are looking towards Bengal. The central government, the President, and the Prime Minister have given Bengal the opportunity to host this event,' he said, calling for collective cooperation to build a 'New Bengal.'
Remarks on AIMIM-ASP Alliance for UP 2027
Ghosh also weighed in on reports of a possible alliance between the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Azad Samaj Party (ASP) ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. While acknowledging the legitimacy of opposition and protest, he cautioned: 'If parties protest or form alliances only for political gain and to save their own existence, nothing will be achieved.' He drew a distinction between principled democratic activity and opportunistic coalition-building.
What Comes Next
The KMC action and Ghosh's remarks are likely to escalate exchanges between the BJP and TMC as Bengal approaches its next electoral cycle. Whether the civic body takes similar action against structures linked to other political figures — across party lines — will determine whether this episode is treated as routine enforcement or a targeted political move.
Point of View
But the political optics are unmistakable — it has handed the BJP a live example to press its 'encroachment' narrative against the TMC's first family. Ghosh's framing is deliberate: by lumping the structure removal with broader footpath encroachments, he is trying to shift the story from a security arrangement to a governance failure. What mainstream coverage is missing is the selectivity question: whether KMC enforcement has been evenly applied across parties, or whether this instance was timed for maximum political effect. That answer will determine whether this is accountability or theatre.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Kolkata Municipal Corporation remove the structure outside Abhishek Banerjee's house?
The KMC removed a temporary structure outside the Kolkata residence of TMC general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee on 12 November 2026. The structure had reportedly been installed for security purposes, though the civic body has not publicly detailed the specific grounds for its removal beyond routine enforcement.
What did Dilip Ghosh say about Mamata Banerjee's family?
BJP's Dilip Ghosh alleged that Mamata Banerjee's family was 'the biggest beneficiary of government facilities' and had 'encroached upon footpaths and other public spaces.' He argued that consistent use of bulldozers against political encroachments would also motivate ordinary citizens to clear such structures.
Who is Abhishek Banerjee?
Abhishek Banerjee is the general secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress and a Member of Parliament. He is widely regarded as one of West Bengal's most influential political figures and is a close relative of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
What did Ghosh say about the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Kolkata?
Ghosh described the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, scheduled to be held in Kolkata, as a 'huge opportunity for Bengal.' He thanked the central government, the President, and the Prime Minister for giving West Bengal the chance to host the event and called for collective cooperation to build a 'New Bengal.'
What was Ghosh's view on the AIMIM-ASP alliance for the 2027 UP elections?
Ghosh acknowledged that exposing government failures and protesting in the public interest are legitimate democratic activities. However, he cautioned that alliances or protests driven solely by political survival rather than public good would yield no meaningful results.
