In a dramatic incident from Kolkata’s Beleghata area, a family allegedly forced to live under the shadow of an illegal Trinamool Congress (TMC) office for nearly 15 years finally demolished the structure using a bulldozer after the change of power in West Bengal. The incident has sparked fresh political debate over alleged political encroachments and post-election reclamation drives across the state.
The incident took place in the Mathpukur area of Beleghata on Saturday, where homeowner Maniklal Kundu supervised the demolition of a two-storey structure that he claimed had been illegally constructed on his property by local TMC workers in 2011.
According to the family, the structure was initially presented as a local club named “Mathpukur Byayam Samiti” (Mathpukur Exercise Committee). However, they alleged that the premises functioned as a full-fledged TMC party office for years.
The structure had reportedly been built directly in front of the family’s house and allegedly occupied both a portion of their front yard and part of the adjoining footpath. Kundu said the area was supposed to remain vacant according to the sanctioned building plan of the house.
Maniklal Kundu said that construction of his house came to a halt after the political change in West Bengal in 2011 when the TMC came to power. He alleged that local party workers stopped further construction after the first floor was completed and gradually occupied the front portion of the property.
TMC had built this illegal club infront of someone’s residence in Beleghata, they used to do what they feel like with no fear of anyone. Now the same is being demolished. pic.twitter.com/iwNUPDaD7B
— Sudhanidhi Bandyopadhyay (@SudhanidhiB) May 23, 2026
He claimed that despite repeatedly approaching the police, local civic authorities and TMC leaders over the years, no action was taken to remove the encroachment.
Kundu’s wife, Jharna Kundu, recounted the family’s ordeal and alleged that the occupation began soon after the 2011 Assembly elections.
“In 2011, Trinamool came and forcibly occupied my land. They said they would build a club. But no club came up. It became a party office,” she said.
She further alleged that the premises were regularly used for drinking sessions, late-night gatherings and loud music, making life difficult for the family.
Jharna Kundu also claimed that her family, comprising herself, her husband and daughter, lived in fear for years due to the alleged behaviour of local TMC workers.
She named three individuals, Raju Ghosh, Mintu and Bachchu Ganguly, accusing them of intimidation and repeatedly entering the family’s property without permission.
According to the family, they felt helpless for years and avoided confrontation due to fear of political retaliation.
The family alleged that immediately after the West Bengal Assembly election results were declared on May 4, the appearance of the structure changed overnight.
Jharna Kundu claimed that local TMC workers themselves removed party symbols, portraits and banners from the building after the party’s defeat. She alleged that portraits of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee and other party figures were taken down.
In their place, portraits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari were reportedly installed. The structure was also repainted saffron, allegedly in an attempt to portray it as a BJP office.
The family’s daughter, Payel Kundu, said the office had been actively functioning as a TMC base until the election results and that the sudden transformation happened only after the political change in the state.
After the change in government, the Kundu family finally moved to reclaim the land.
Maniklal Kundu said he informed the police about his decision to demolish the allegedly illegal structure. Following this, a bulldozer was brought to the site on Saturday and the building was razed in the presence of police personnel.
No major violence or law-and-order disturbance was reported during the demolition drive. Kundu stated that there was no resistance during the operation.
BJP leader Archana Majumdar also visited the spot along with Tangra police officials during the demolition.
Majumdar said the BJP would support rightful owners seeking to reclaim illegally occupied land and properties. She described the action as part of a broader campaign against political encroachments in West Bengal.
