TMC MLAs Stage Assembly Protest Over Hawker Eviction Drive; Several Legislators Absent

MP, May 21, 2026, Kolkata : Trinamool Congress legislators staged a sit-in protest inside the West Bengal Assembly on Wednesday morning against the alleged eviction drive targeting hawkers across Kolkata and adjoining areas.

The protest was led by several senior party figures, including Kunal Ghosh and Ritabrata Banerjee, who accused the BJP of pursuing a “bulldozer policy”.

The protesting MLAs gathered within the Assembly premises, carrying placards and raising slogans against recent hawker eviction drives, alleging that thousands of small traders and daily earners were being affected by the crackdown.

However, the protest also highlighted apparent cracks within the party ranks. Despite the party’s direction, around 50 MLAs remained absent from the Assembly demonstration.

The comparatively thin turnout fuelled speculation over growing internal divisions and dissatisfaction within a section of the party leadership.

Political observers noted that the absence of many legislators assumes significance at a time when the party has been facing increasing organisational strain following recent controversies and internal disagreements over strategy.

Opposition parties, meanwhile, mocked the protest and claimed the low attendance exposed the Trinamool Congress’s weakening unity.

The Assembly protest comes amid heightened political tension in the state over the handling of post-poll violence investigations and civic eviction drives, both of which have triggered sharp exchanges between the ruling dispensation and the Opposition in recent weeks.

The party, in a social media post, wrote: “We strongly condemn any attempt to bulldoze the rights and livelihoods of common people, and we will continue our resistance.”

Party supremo Mamata Banerjee, in a previous meeting, had also directed party leaders and workers to stage protests against hawker evictions at Sealdah Station, Howrah Station and near Ballygunge.