Kolkata | 28 Aug 2026
Trinamool Congress chief and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharply criticised Kolkata Police on Friday during the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad foundation day programme in Kolkata, held on Raksha Bandhan, a day after a confrontation at Abhishek Banerjee’s Camac Street office led to three FIRs and the arrest of 13 people.
Mamata Banerjee targets Kolkata Police over TMC office action
Addressing supporters at Cathedral Road, Banerjee accused the police of acting unfairly against her party and questioned the police action at Abhishek Banerjee’s office on Thursday. She alleged that officers had entered the premises forcibly and that TMC workers were subsequently arrested.
Banerjee contrasted the present police administration with the force she had worked with during her 15 years as chief minister, alleging that its conduct had changed after the change of government. Her remarks were political allegations against the present administration and police; Kolkata Police has separately defended its action through the cases registered over Thursday’s confrontation.
Banerjee also announced that she would begin touring districts to stand with party workers and people she described as deprived. She said that even if police permission was not granted for her political programmes, she would continue her outreach, including travelling on foot where necessary.
Three FIRs filed, 13 arrested after Abhishek Banerjee office clash
Kolkata Police said three cases were registered following Thursday’s confrontation involving police personnel, Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials and TMC members at Abhishek Banerjee’s office on Camac Street. Thirteen people were arrested.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien and other party figures were named in cases arising from allegations that officials were obstructed while attempting to enter a common area of the building and remove an allegedly unauthorised billboard.
According to the authorities, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation had received a complaint concerning the billboard and its officials went to the site accompanied by police. The police alleged that party supporters and private security personnel obstructed officials and that a confrontation followed.
The TMC has disputed that account. Abhishek Banerjee alleged that civic and police personnel entered the office without proper authority and pushed or heckled party leaders and workers. His faction has indicated that it will pursue legal remedies over the action.
TMCP foundation day coincides with Raksha Bandhan
The confrontation with police became a major theme at Friday’s TMCP foundation day gathering, which coincided with Raksha Bandhan. Banerjee had earlier called for the occasion to carry a message of harmony because the student organisation’s annual foundation day fell on the festival this year.
The gathering itself was held under restrictions imposed by the Calcutta High Court after rival TMC factions sought permission to organise separate TMCP programmes at the traditional Mayo Road venue.
The court did not allow either faction to use Mayo Road. Mamata Banerjee’s faction was permitted to hold its programme on Cathedral Road, while the rival group led by Ritabrata Banerjee was allotted Rani Rashmoni Road.
High Court capped attendance and ordered traffic lane to remain open
The Calcutta High Court fixed the timing of both programmes between noon and 3 pm and imposed an attendance ceiling of 1,500 people for each gathering. Each faction was also directed to provide Kolkata Police with the contact details of 15 volunteers to help coordinate security arrangements.
The court further ordered that the programmes be restricted to one lane at their respective venues while the other lane remained available for traffic.
There was significant crowding around the Cathedral Road event after Banerjee arrived. Local reports said several vehicles became caught near the gathering and an ambulance was also temporarily affected. Banerjee was seen directing party workers to allow vehicles to pass and asking supporters to cooperate with police before the political speeches continued.
Mamata says political and legal fight will continue
At the programme, Banerjee also renewed her challenge to the BJP-led West Bengal government over the 2026 Assembly election. She alleged that the BJP had secured its victory through unfair means and said her party would continue its legal fight. The allegation has not been established as fact and remains part of the political dispute between the two sides.
The BJP came to power in West Bengal in the May 2026 Assembly election, ending 15 years of Mamata Banerjee-led government. Since that defeat, the TMC has also been hit by an internal split, with competing factions claiming organisational legitimacy.
Friday’s simultaneous student-wing programmes, the dispute with Kolkata Police and the Camac Street cases have therefore added another layer to an already intensifying political and legal confrontation in West Bengal.
