The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday launched a fierce attack on the BJP-led Centre after police personnel, accompanied by central forces, conducted a pre-dawn search at the Kolkata residence of party MP Abhishek Banerjee. The operation, carried out at Banerjee’s Kalighat residence in connection with an alleged financial fraud case linked to one of his close aides, has triggered a major political confrontation in West Bengal, with the TMC accusing the Centre of intimidation and political targeting.
The Police Operation and Its Background
The search operation reportedly began shortly after 3 am and continued for more than four hours. A team from Paschim Medinipur’s Salboni Police Station, assisted by Kolkata Police personnel, arrived at Banerjee’s residence searching for his close aide, Sumit Roy, who is alleged to be connected to a financial fraud investigation.
According to reports, officers broke open a lock and entered the premises after failing to gain access during the operation. Police sources indicated that the search was specifically linked to locating the absconding aide and gathering evidence related to the alleged fraud case.
The incident immediately escalated into a political flashpoint, given Abhishek Banerjee’s position as one of the most influential leaders within the TMC and a key political figure in West Bengal.
TMC’s Allegation of Political Vendetta
The TMC strongly condemned the raid, describing it as “political vendetta, intimidation and mental torture.” Party leaders argued that the timing and manner of the operation reflected an attempt to harass opposition leaders rather than a routine legal procedure.
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose criticized the operation in a strongly worded social media statement, calling it another instance of selective targeting of political opponents by central agencies and authorities allegedly aligned with the BJP-led government.
Senior TMC leader Sougata Roy also accused the Centre of systematically misusing investigative agencies against opposition parties. According to the TMC, the raid fits into a broader pattern of pressure tactics employed against leaders unwilling to align politically with the ruling establishment.
While the allegations remain politically charged, the party’s claims have gained traction due to the aggressive nature of the operation, especially the pre-dawn timing and reports of forceful entry into the residence.
Previous Agency Actions and Rising Political Tensions
The latest controversy comes amid an already tense political climate in West Bengal. Earlier this year, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at the premises of election strategist I-PAC, prompting similar allegations from the TMC of politically motivated action ahead of elections.
In May 2026, Kolkata Police also visited Abhishek Banerjee’s Shantiniketan residence regarding alleged unauthorized construction notices linked to multiple properties. Around the same period, Banerjee’s security cover was reportedly downgraded, further deepening tensions between the TMC and central authorities.
Following Saturday’s raid, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally visited Abhishek Banerjee’s residence, underlining the seriousness with which the party views the incident.
Law Enforcement or Political Confrontation?
The search at Abhishek Banerjee’s residence reflects the increasingly blurred lines between legal investigations and political confrontation in West Bengal. While authorities maintain that the operation was based on a specific financial fraud investigation, the timing, intensity, and broader political context have strengthened the TMC’s narrative of selective targeting. As political polarization deepens, such incidents are likely to continue fueling debates over the independence of investigative processes and the use of state power in India’s highly charged political environment.
(With agency inputs)
