Mamata predicts BJP’s fall at Centre, vows political fight in Bengal

Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on May 20 launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming the party would soon be “removed from power in Delhi.” Her remarks came as nephew and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee, recently served a demolition notice over alleged unauthorized construction, declared he would not bow to political pressure.

Addressing a meeting of TMC MLAs at her residence, Mamata alleged that minorities and roadside hawkers were being targeted under the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal.

“Minority communities are being targeted. Hawkers’ stalls are being bulldozed,” she said, referring to what she described as recent instances of post-poll violence and action against alleged illegal encroachments across parts of the state.

Accusing the BJP government of undermining constitutional values, Mamata said, “This government is tampering with our constitutional ideas and values,” while asserting that the party’s rule at the Centre would not last long.

Abhishek Banerjee hits back

The meeting was also attended by Abhishek Banerjee, TMC’s national general secretary, who addressed the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) notice directing him to demolish allegedly “unauthorized” portions of his south Kolkata residence.

“Let them do whatever they want... raze down my home, send notice; I won’t bow down over these things. Come what may, the fight against the BJP will continue,” Abhishek said.

The notice has triggered political attention, given that the KMC remains under TMC control, with Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, a close Mamata aide, at its helm.

Abhishek also took aim at Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, invoking the controversial 2014 Narada sting operation.

“Our state has had many chief ministers, but none like the current one. The person seen taking money on camera has been made CM,” he said.

The TMC’s show of defiance comes ahead of planned protests on May 21 against what the party has called the “forceful eviction” of hawkers and the BJP’s “bulldozer culture.” Demonstrations are scheduled near Ballygunge, Howrah Junction and Sealdah railway station in and around Kolkata.