A scene from Kolkata's New Market area where a group of people carrying flags of the BJP and accompanied with a JCB allegedly targeted a TMC office. Photo: X/@AITCofficial
Bulldozer politics reaches Bengal? TMC office razed in Kolkata's New Market area
Tensions soar in the city's commercial heart as a bulldozer targets the outgoing ruling party's union office; police bans JCBs from victory processions
Tension prevailed in Kolkata’s iconic Hogg Market aka New Market area on Tuesday (May 5) night after a group of people, along with a bulldozer, allegedly targeted an office of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), triggering panic among local traders and shopkeepers.
Initial reports said the New Market union office of the party, which lost power in West Bengal on Monday (May 4), when the results of the state Assembly elections were announced, was completely razed in the incident. Debris and chaos were witnessed in the area, adding to the tension. There were also accusations that meat shops were being demolished.
Police commissioner assures
Police officers rushed to the spot after the incident, and surveillance was intensified in and around the New Market area, one of Kolkata’s busiest commercial hubs.
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City Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand, who assumed charge in March, held a press conference in Lalbazaar, headquarters of Kolkata Police, on Wednesday (May 6), assuring citizens and urging them not to listen to rumours. He also said that processions would not include JCBs and legal action would be taken against owners of such machines who rent them out.
👉 Before elections: Bhoy out, Bharosa in
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) May 5, 2026
👉 After elections: Bharosa out, Bulldozer in
BJP's 'Poriborton' has arrived, and it has arrived with a bulldozer. In an act of brazen hooliganism and gundagardi, mobs of BJP supporters went on a rampage near the New Market area,… pic.twitter.com/SmhgWjjp3w
He also warned against any act of intimidation and that the police would take action in consultation with the central forces, who are still stationed in the state. Nand said 80 people were arrested in connection with the incident and arms had been recovered.
Violence has spread across many parts of Bengal, including Kolkata, after the state witnessed a historic change of guard, with the BJP sweeping the state polls and ousting Mamata Banerjee’s TMC from power after 15 years.
Post-poll violence despite BJP's promise
Top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said after the victory that the saffron party would not take the course of revenge after the victory and play a more constructive role. However, on the ground, there have been reports of widespread violence and alleged attacks on TMC offices and workers. The property of an outgoing TMC minister, Aroop Bishwas, was also allegedly targeted by miscreants.
TMC leaders react
The TMC also reacted to the incident. MP Mahua Moitra shared a video of the ruckus on X, where she mocked the BJP, saying, “Kolkata’s historic New Market. Bengalis revelling in Parivartan.”
Derek O'Brien, another senior TMC MP, alleged that the demolition was done under official watch.
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“In central Kolkata, near New Market. With police permission. As part of the victory celebrations, a bulldozer was brought in to demolish meat shops. CAPF standing around,” he said in a post, adding, “The BJP for you. Let the world see these pictures.”
The TMC also condemned the incident in a post, saying that while assurances were given before the election, the bulldozer took over after the polling had ended.
“Before elections: Bhoy out, Bharosa in After elections: Bharosa out, Bulldozer in BJP's 'Poriborton' has arrived, and it has arrived with a bulldozer. In an act of brazen hooliganism and gundagardi, mobs of BJP supporters went on a rampage near the New Market area, destroying shops and vandalising the Trinamool Congress party office. This is the celebration of a party that spoke of trust and delivered terror,” it wrote, as part of a long post.
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In Bengal, a bulldozer is often seen synonymous with a kind of brutal majoritarian politics allegedly practised in BJP-ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh. With its appearance in New Market, perhaps West Bengal also saw the introduction of a new brand of politics.