West Bengal political dynamics saw a notable visual shift on Tuesday evening, 10 November 2026, as Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Harish Chatterjee Street in Kalighat—the long-standing neighborhood of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee—to offer prayers at a local Kali Puja organized by her estranged brother, Swapan “Babun” Banerjee.
The visit marked Adhikari’s first official stroll down the stretch since assuming the Chief Minister’s office, walking past Mamata Banerjee’s residence while being greeted by local residents and neighborhood sports club members.
Kalighat Pandals & Political Exchanges
Accompanied by local supporters, Adhikari visited multiple prominent neighborhood pandals in the Bhowanipore constituency, including Sevak Sangha and Tarun Yubak Sangha, before joining Babun Banerjee at his club’s venue:
- Warm Reception: Local residents gathered along Harish Chatterjee Street to greet Adhikari, with several households showering flower petals as he exchanged festive greetings.
- Babun Banerjee’s Statement: Welcoming Adhikari, Babun Banerjee—who serves as the convenor of the Kalighat Sports Association—referred to Adhikari as his mentor, stating: “Today is a very happy day for me. Dada, you forge ahead; we are with you.”
- Constituency Obligation: Addressing reporters, Adhikari maintained that the visit was strictly part of his duties as the local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing Bhowanipore during the festive season.
TMC Response & Family Distance
The public interaction drew swift criticism from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which sought to distance the party and its supreme leader from the event:
- Formal Disownment: TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh stated that Mamata Banerjee had publicly disowned Babun Banerjee years ago following domestic and organizational complaints, clarifying that they maintain separate residences and no personal association.
- Poster Removal Controversy: Ghosh alleged that local administrative authorities forcibly removed banners and hoardings featuring Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee along Harish Chatterjee Street ahead of the Chief Minister’s arrival.
