Following the end of the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) 15-year rule in West Bengal, the newly formed BJP government has intensified its focus on former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, Abhishek Banerjee. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released a sensational list of 43 alleged illegal properties in Kolkata reportedly registered under the name of Abhishek Banerjee, his family members, or close associates. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a comprehensive probe into these holdings, emphasizing that all corrupt individuals would face legal consequences and claiming that at least 14 properties are registered under Abhishek’s firm, “Leaps and Bounds.”
The political clash worsened after the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) issued notices to 17 addresses linked to Abhishek Banerjee over alleged unauthorized constructions, demanding building plans, additional lift approvals, and ordering the removal of illegal structures within seven days. The list released by the BJP also caused internal friction as it included a property under the name of Jadavpur TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh. Expressing anger over the development, Saayoni Ghosh strongly refuted any connection on social media, clarifying that she has not derived such massive financial gains from politics and warned of legal action against false allegations aimed at defaming her.
The Trinamool Congress has vehemently rejected the list, branding the move as a purely politically motivated smear campaign and an act of political vendetta by the new ruling establishment. Former TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale called the allegations a complete hoax, sarcastically questioning if the BJP simply ran a database search for the name ‘Abhishek Banerjee’ without verifying actual identities, as it is a common name in West Bengal. Defying the ongoing actions, Abhishek Banerjee declared that he would never bow down to the pressure, stating he would stand firm even if the government demolished his house.
