Trinamool Congress alleges security withdrawn from Mamata Banerjee’s residence

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday alleged that the security cover outside the Kalighat residence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was suddenly withdrawn by the state government. Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien, in a video message posted on the party’s official social media handle, described the move as a “political vendetta” and a “calculated move to isolate and endanger” the Chief Minister.

“This is a shocking new low in political vendetta. Removing the long-serving security personnel protecting Mamata Banerjee is not an administrative action; it is a calculated move to isolate and endanger her,” the TMC posted on X (formerly Twitter), along with the video. The post directly tagged the handle of Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the state legislative assembly and a prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, though it did not provide any evidence linking him to the decision.

The West Bengal government, which is led by Banerjee herself, controls the state police force responsible for VIP security. The allegation, therefore, raises administrative and political questions. Typically, the security deployment for high-profile individuals is determined by threat perception assessments conducted by the intelligence wing of the police. Any change in security detail would normally require a review by officials, not direct political intervention.

As of the time of reporting, neither the state secretariat nor the Kolkata Police had issued any statement clarifying the status of security at the Chief Minister’s residence. Repeated phone calls to the Director General of Police’s office went unanswered. The lack of immediate response leaves the veracity of the TMC’s claim unverified.

Mamata Banerjee, a three-time Chief Minister and a prominent national opposition figure, has been at the center of a bitter political rivalry with the BJP, especially since the 2021 assembly elections. The state has witnessed frequent political clashes and heightened security concerns. Banerjee herself has faced threats in the past; she was attacked during the election campaign in Nandigram, an incident she blamed on political rivals. Her security is a sensitive issue, and any perceived dilution is bound to spark a political storm.

The TMC’s post also contained sharp language: “Your obsession with vendetta politics and your insecurity-driven abuse of power exposes exactly who you are. If ‘petty politics’ had a face, it would undoubtedly look like yours.” While the party did not name anyone beyond tagging Adhikari’s handle, the tone underscored the deep-seated animosity between the ruling party in West Bengal and the opposition.

Political analysts note that security arrangements for chief ministers are typically robust and are reviewed periodically. Abrupt changes without explanation are unusual and, if true, could indicate a serious lapse in protocol. However, they also caution that such claims should be examined carefully, as they sometimes stem from political messaging rather than ground reality.

The BJP’s state unit has not officially reacted to the allegation at the time of filing this report. A BJP spokesperson, when contacted, said they were looking into the matter and would issue a statement if necessary.

The incident adds to the ongoing war of words between the two parties in West Bengal, where the BJP has been trying to make inroads into the ruling TMC’s stronghold. Security-related allegations have been a recurring theme, with both sides accusing each other of using state machinery for political gains. In 2022, the Union Home Ministry had reviewed the security of several TMC leaders following post-poll violence cases.

Observers suggest that if the withdrawal is confirmed, it could lead to a larger political confrontation, possibly drawing the attention of the Centre’s Ministry of Home Affairs, which oversees the security of high-profile leaders across states. For now, all eyes are on the state administration to clarify the facts.

The Kalighat residence, a modest two-storey house in south Kolkata, has been Banerjee’s home for decades and serves as a symbolic nerve center of TMC’s political activity. It has always been guarded by a dedicated team of police personnel. The reported removal of these guards, if accurate, would mark a significant departure from the norm.

As the controversy unfolded on social media, TMC supporters expressed outrage, while BJP sympathizers questioned the timing of the claim, hinting at a possible attempt to divert attention from other issues. With state elections still a few years away, such episodes underscore the charged atmosphere in West Bengal politics.

(With inputs from Kolkata bureau)