After over a decade, Cong reclaims Zakaria St party office, loses part of it in 24 hours

Kolkata: A modest party office on a pavement in central Kolkata became the centre of a significant political development as Congress workers on Monday evening reclaimed the premises at 48, Zakaria Street near Mohammad Ali Park in Ward 44 after over a decade, only to lose a portion of it to a demolition drive against illegal structures within 24 hours.Congress workers said the office, which once belonged to them, went under Trinamool control. After Trinamool’s election debacle, they took back the office on Monday, without facing any resistance. But it being set up on a pavement, police arrived the very next evening and pulled the illegal structure down.While the incident may appear localised, it comes at a time when the Congress is attempting to consolidate opposition space in Bengal. Whether reclaiming a single party office translates into a wider political revival remains to be seen, but the episode seems to mean a “symbolic victory” for the Congress in a neighbourhood with over 50% minority votes.Political observers said the incident might reflect a changing mood within sections of the opposition electorate. With Congress seeking to rebuild its organisational presence in urban pockets and project itself as an alternative political force, even small local developments are being viewed through the lens of the state’s shifting political landscape. The peaceful manner in which Congress could reclaim the office has drawn attention in political circles, particularly amid reports of Trinamool foot soldiers in several parts of Bengal joining the Congress over the past month.Local Congress functionaries claimed it had been their party office since the mid-1990s until Trinamool supporters took it over after the 2015 KMC election win. “It was captured by Trinamool supporters after winning the civic elections and they made it their party office. We lodged police complaints but no action was taken. Police told us they were helpless,” said Zaid Anwar, secretary of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee and a former candidate from Ward 44. “On Monday, we went to the place with Congress workers and reclaimed the party office. We did not use any violence or force. There was a lot of support from the people of the area.” Even old-timers pointed out that the party office had for long been associated with the Congress before changing hands.The development was followed by action from Kolkata Police. On Tuesday evening, a team from the Jorasanko Police Station arrived to pull down the structure. A Congress member claimed the drive targeted the extensions built after the office came under Trinamool’s control. “We did not resist as we do not want to be associated with any illegal party office,” said Anwar.TOI tried contacting Rehana Khatoon, councillor of Ward 44 and a Trinamool functionary, but there was no response.