Derek O’Brien Falls Down Stairs During TMC-KMC Confrontation at AITC Office (Video)
A confrontation broke out at the TMC office on Camac Street, Kolkata, after KMC officials and police arrived to remove a billboard allegedly installed without permission. TMC MP Derek O’Brien reportedly fell down the stairs amid the clash. Abhishek Banerjee alleged police excesses, while police accused TMC workers of obstructing and assaulting personnel.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders and supporters clashed with police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials at the party office on Camac Street on Thursday, August 27, during an operation to remove a billboard allegedly installed without permission. TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien reportedly fell down the stairs amid the confrontation, while the party alleged that several members were injured.
The confrontation began after KMC officials, accompanied by police personnel, arrived at the office of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to remove the billboard. Banerjee and other party leaders blocked the path of the officials as they attempted to enter the premises and reach the rooftop, where the billboard was located. The jostling reportedly continued for around an hour. Mahua Moitra Arrest Warrant: TMC MP Faces Action Over Alleged Remarks Hurting Hindu Sentiments.
Derek O’Brien Falls Down Stairs During TMC-KMC Confrontation
VIDEO | Kolkata: TMC leader Derek O’Brien falls down stairs amid clash at AITC office. Visuals pic.twitter.com/5FLagoXH9A
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 27, 2026
Confrontation Over Billboard Removal
Banerjee streamed the incident live on Facebook and questioned the civic action, alleging that the order brought by KMC officials did not carry a memo number or a photograph of the billboard, although the order referred to the photograph as an accompanying document.
“The police acted beyond its jurisdiction. They forcefully entered my office although the billboard is placed on the roof. Our MP Derek O’Brien and several members of my office staff, including women, were injured. We will move the Calcutta High Court tomorrow,” Banerjee said on Facebook Live at 5.57 pm when KMC workers were removing the billboard. The civic officials proceeded with the removal operation amid the confrontation at the premises.
TMC Alleges Selective Action
Banerjee also accused the police of acting selectively against the TMC office and alleged that billboards belonging to the BJP in the area had not faced similar action. “The police have become the Bharatiya Janata Party’s slave. There are 400 BJP billboards on Camac Street. They will not remove even one,” Banerjee said.
The allegations have added another point of confrontation between the TMC and state authorities, with the party questioning the manner in which the civic operation was carried out.
Police Allege Obstruction
Police offered a different account of the confrontation. An officer from the Park Street police station said on condition of anonymity that TMC workers guarding the building’s entry point assaulted several policemen.
“If you watch the videos then you will see several policemen being assaulted. Senior IPS officers have rushed to the spot,” he said. Police and civic officials maintained that their personnel were carrying out an official operation when the confrontation occurred.
BJP Hits Back At Abhishek Banerjee
Agricultural marketing minister Dilip Ghosh dismissed Banerjee’s allegation of police bias and criticised the TMC's position. “When the police did not do their duty, they found the police to be very good. Now that the police are doing their duty, Abhishek Banerjee finds them biased,” Ghosh said.
The exchange reflects the wider political tensions in West Bengal, where disputes involving the state administration, civic authorities and the TMC frequently become political flashpoints.
Derek O’Brien Reportedly Injured
During the confrontation, Derek O’Brien reportedly fell on the staircase as TMC leaders and supporters resisted the movement of police and KMC officials. Banerjee alleged that O’Brien and members of his office staff were injured. The circumstances surrounding the fall and the extent of any injuries were not immediately clear. The incident is likely to become a fresh political issue, with the TMC indicating that it will approach the Calcutta High Court over the civic action.
The immediate dispute centres on the legality of the billboard and the manner in which KMC officials attempted to remove it. The competing allegations by the TMC and police over obstruction and alleged assault are also likely to come under scrutiny as videos of the confrontation are examined.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2026 08:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
