According to officials, a case has been registered and four individuals have been arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with complaints of vandalism. The incident has heightened tensions in the area, which has remained sensitive since the beginning of the election process.
The Trinamool Congress strongly condemned the episode, describing it as an act of blatant hooliganism. The party alleged that supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party went on a rampage near the New Market area, damaging shops and vandalising the party office. The claim was accompanied by a video showing a crowd celebrating with party flags while a bulldozer demolished an installation.
Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament Derek O'Brien alleged that the bulldozer was brought in to demolish meat shops in central Kolkata, near New Market, and claimed it was done with police permission while central armed police forces stood by.
Responding to the allegations, state Bharatiya Janata Party chief Samik Bhattacharya stated that violence carried out in the party’s name would not be tolerated.
The Election Commission of India has sought the deployment of central forces in the affected area to maintain law and order.
New Market, a historic shopping arcade established in 1874 and later named after Sir Stuart Hogg, has long been a commercial landmark. Despite its official name, the market continues to be widely known as New Market among residents.
Local traders expressed fear and uncertainty following the incident. A shopkeeper operating next to the Trinamool Congress office said he was not present during the घटना but felt anxious upon witnessing the aftermath the next morning, adding that the situation had remained tense since the elections began. Another trader, whose family has owned a shop in the area for over a century, reported a noticeable decline in sales since the incident and admitted to feeling unsafe, though he continues to keep his business open.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand stated that bulldozers would not be permitted in any victory procession. He warned of strict action against violators and confirmed that at least 80 individuals have been arrested across the city in connection with vandalism cases.
The use of bulldozers has become a symbolic tool in crackdowns against alleged criminals, particularly under the administration of Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh. The imagery featured prominently during election campaigns and post-result celebrations. Former state Bharatiya Janata Party chief Dilip Ghosh was seen celebrating his victory from the Kharagpur Sadar seat while standing atop a bulldozer with a party flag.
West Bengal had long been a challenging political frontier for the Bharatiya Janata Party, dominated by Mamata Banerjee and her party, which governed the state for three consecutive terms since 2011. However, the 2026 Assembly elections marked a dramatic shift. The Bharatiya Janata Party secured 207 seats in the 294-member assembly and is preparing to form its first government in the state. The Trinamool Congress was reduced to 80 seats, a sharp decline from its previous tally of 215, while the Congress and the Left secured two seats each.
The bulldozer incident underscores the volatile atmosphere following the electoral transition, raising concerns about public safety, political tensions, and the preservation of order in one of Kolkata’s most historic commercial districts.
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