Kolkata, 19 May (H.S.) : The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has announced statewide protest programmes against the alleged forced eviction of hawkers and the “bulldozer culture” adopted by the newly elected BJP government in West Bengal.
The protests will be held on May 21 near Howrah Station, Sealdah Station and Ballygunge, coinciding with the re-poll in the Falta Assembly constituency.
Since assuming power in the state, the BJP government has launched a series of drives against illegal constructions under its “zero tolerance” policy. Demolition campaigns have been carried out in several parts of the state, while encroachments on railway land have also been removed. In recent weeks, authorities conducted eviction drives at key railway stations under the Howrah and Sealdah divisions, demolishing temporary structures and settlements allegedly occupied illegally.
Reacting to these developments, former Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee criticised the government during a meeting with party legislators at Kalighat on Tuesday. She alleged that hawkers’ shops were being demolished using bulldozers and accused the government of undermining constitutional values and democratic principles.
Mamata Banerjee also alleged that members of minority communities were being selectively targeted during the anti-encroachment and demolition drives. Addressing party MLAs, she claimed that the BJP would eventually be removed from power at the national level as well.
Soon after her remarks, the TMC formally announced protest demonstrations against what it described as the government’s “bulldozer policy”. Party sources said the demonstrations are intended to highlight the impact of eviction drives on small traders, hawkers and economically vulnerable sections.
The timing of the protests is being viewed as politically significant, as they will take place on the same day as the Falta Assembly re-poll. The development also comes a day after TMC candidate Jahangir Khan announced his decision to withdraw from the re-election contest, creating embarrassment for the party ahead of the crucial vote.
Political observers note that despite several demolition drives across the state following the change in government, TMC leaders had largely remained absent from protest sites until now. The first major anti-encroachment demolition in Tiljala had witnessed protests by opposition leaders, including Nawsad Siddique and CPI(M) leader Shatarup Ghosh, while no senior TMC leaders were seen actively resisting the action.
However, with political tensions escalating after the regime change, the TMC now appears to be returning to its traditional protest-oriented political strategy. Questions remain over which senior party leaders will lead the demonstrations on the ground.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
