India
oi-Ashish Rana
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has launched a sharp attack on the West Bengal government after the removal of former chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s longtime personal security officer (PSO). The party described the move as politically motivated and accused the administration of attempting to isolate the veteran leader.
The Trinamool Congress criticised the West Bengal administration for removing Mamata Banerjee’s long-serving personal security officers, alleging a politically motivated attempt to isolate her, while the BJP stated normal security benefits would continue for the former chief minister.
The controversy surfaced after reports emerged that security personnel who had been assigned to Banerjee for years were replaced with a new team. According to TMC leaders, Banerjee was unwilling to accept the new officers and preferred to continue with the personnel she trusted.
Kalyan Banerjee Questions Security Decision
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee criticised the move, saying the relationship between a leader and a personal security officer is built on trust developed over years of service.
“It is very unfortunate that Mamata Banerjee’s PSO, who had been with her for 20 years, has been taken away. I have been told that new PSOs were assigned, but she did not accept them. This is purely autocratic. A PSO is a matter of confidence; if I do not have confidence in a PSO, I may say so. This is a very vindictive attitude of the Chief Minister. Everything is happening because of the Chief Minister’s vindictive attitude,” Banerjee said.
The TMC leader maintained that removing a trusted officer without consultation was inappropriate and reflected a larger political agenda.
Derek O’Brien Shares Video From Outside Residence
The issue gained national attention after TMC MP Derek O’Brien posted a video on social media from outside Banerjee’s Kolkata residence on Thursday night.
Claiming there was no security outside the premises, O’Brien alleged that the officers who had protected Banerjee for two decades had been removed.
“HAPPENING NOW. 9.30 pm today. @MamataOfficial’s PSOs for 20 years were moved out from her residence in Kolkata. She is inside. Have parked my car to block the entrance. No security. Shot this video. Will come to you live now from @AITCofficial’s Facebook page.”
The post triggered a political storm, with party workers and leaders expressing concern over the former chief minister’s safety.
TMC Accuses Government Of Political Vendetta
The ruling party escalated its criticism through a series of statements on social media, alleging that the removal of Banerjee’s security staff was a deliberate action rather than a routine administrative decision.
“Removing the long-serving security personnel protecting @MamataOfficial is not administrative action; it is a calculated move to isolate and endanger her.”
The party further claimed that some members of Banerjee’s security team had remained with her since her tenure as railway minister.
In another strongly worded attack directed at Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, the TMC said: “A shocking new low in political vendetta. What exactly are you plotting, @SuvenduWB? Your obsession with vendetta politics and your insecurity-driven abuse of power expose exactly who you are. If ‘petty politics’ had a face, it would undoubtedly look like yours.”
BJP Responds As TMC Faces Internal Challenges
Responding to the allegations, BJP MLA Asim Sarkar said Banerjee would continue to receive all security benefits and protection available to a former chief minister.
The controversy comes at a politically sensitive moment for the TMC. The party is currently dealing with internal unrest after 58 MLAs reportedly formed a separate faction in the West Bengal Assembly. Ritabrata Banerjee has also been recognised as the Leader of Opposition by Speaker Rathindra Bose.
Adding to the party’s troubles, a large section of TMC MPs in the Lok Sabha, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, has merged with the Tripura-based Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The group has reportedly approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking a separate seating arrangement, signalling an expanding divide within the party.
