After TMC's Poll Debacle, Security Withdrawn from Abhishek Banerjee’s Shantiniketan Residence in Kolkata

Kolkata: In a significant development, security cover has been withdrawn from the ‘Shantiniketan’ residence of senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and MP Abhishek Banerjee.

Visuals from outside the premises on Wednesday showed a noticeably lighter security presence, with personnel and barricades that were earlier stationed at the upscale property no longer visible. The move comes amid changes in the security arrangements for several political leaders in the state following TMC's defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections.

Abhishek Banerjee, who is the All India Trinamool Congress general secretary and a key national face of the party, has been residing at the Shantiniketan property in Kolkata. The residence has been under heavy security in the past, given his high political profile.

A local, Sourav Banerjee, said, "There used to be 300-350 policemen here just for an MP... Look at the situation now, the atmosphere is calm. People can walk on the roads, but earlier we used to have trouble. This is Abhishek Banerjee's house. He has built such a big building, but he hasn't done anything for us. He used to threaten us, but people are living peacefully now. We are in a very good situation right now. The change that has been brought is a very good thing. The security here has improved."

No official statement has been issued yet by the state government or the TMC regarding the reasons behind the withdrawal of security. Sources indicated that the decision aligns with a broader review of security protocols for various VVIPs and political functionaries.

The development is being closely watched in political circles, especially as Banerjee continues to play a central role in the TMC’s organisational and electoral strategies both within West Bengal and at the national level.