Mamata Baner KOLKATA: Crown gone. Fortress laid bare. Less than 24 hours after BJP’s Bengal sweep – and shocking defeat of Mamata Banerjee in bastion Bhowanipore – a quieter, but equally symbolic, shift unfolded on the streets.The elaborate security grid that for years defined the approach to Didi’s home at 30B Harish Chatterjee Street in nearby Kalighat began to dissolve with striking speed. Along Harish Chatterjee Street, near Hazra crossing, metal scissor barricades that once carved the road into controlled corridors were dragged aside and stacked along the edges.The police personnel who regulated entry, stopping residents and passers-by for questioning, were conspicuously absent by morning.For locals, the transformation was immediate, almost disorienting. “We had to slow down, answer questions and carry Aadhaar cards. Relatives had to take detours and we often alerted the cops in advance about their arrival,” said a neighbour of Mamata.Tarun Chatterjee, another resident of the lane, rubbed his eyes in disbelief. “When I was passing by Didi’s house today, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The usual hustle and bustle were missing. Then I saw bikes and cars moving freely. As I drove past Mamata’s house, no one questioned me,” he said.Narrow alleys connecting Harish Chatterjee Street to Kalighat Road – long sealed off in the name of security – were also reopened, restoring routes that remained inaccessible for years. “It was difficult for us to enter our own homes because of the high-profile security. While we feel sad for our VVIP resident, we are also relieved,” said Sudip Karmakar, another resident.Not far away, security layers were peeled off outside the home of Mamata’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who is TMC general secretary and MP. Police deployment was also scaled down outside Abhishek’s office on Camac Street in central Kolkata.The rollback of this security architecture, built since Mamata’s second term in 2016, came on the heels of a political upset few had anticipated. For more than 15 years, Bhowanipore was the unshakeable TMC fortress, where electoral contests often felt like formalities.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.About the AuthorTamaghna BanerjeeTamaghna Banerjee, a reporter from Kolkata, covers crime, aviation, human rights and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest and rural reporting. He has done his postgraduation in journalism and mass communication. He has a total of 14 years in journalism.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDMK Hits Out As Congress Directs TNCC To Take Final Call On Vijay’s Support Request’Historic, Decisive’: Trump Congratulates PM Modi Over BJP’s Win In Bengal ElectionsDefeat but ‘Moral Win’? Mamata Targets EC, Hints At BIGGER Opposition AlliancePower Bank Catches Fire On IndiGo Hyderabad-Chandigarh Flight, All Passengers And Crew EvacuatedIndia Seeks To Lease Three Ultra Heavy Lift Helicopters To Boost CapabilityAIMIM Chief Owaisi Says Muslim Votes Wasted on Secular Parties, Calls for ShiftKejriwal Alleges BJP “Robbed” Punjab of Rajya Sabha Seats, Vows Political Revenge“Democracy Being Mocked”: Bhagwant Mann Meets President Over Defection of 7 AAP Rajya Sabha MPsNCERT Clears Revised Class 8 Textbook After Judiciary Chapter Row And Public ApologyPM Modi call Fujairah Attack ‘Unacceptable’, Three Indians Injured In UAE123PhotostoriesWatermelon vs. mango: Which is better for summer nutrition and the right way to consume5 unique national parks in South America where waterfalls, wildlife and wilderness come aliveHow to make Chef Ranveer Brar-Style Lucknowi Dal Falaknuma at homeOlder than dinosaurs? 5 prehistoric-era animals that still walk the Earth todayKaran Johar to Ananya Birla:Indian stars who stole the show at Met Gala 2026From ‘The Dark Knight’ to ‘Brokeback Mountain’: Heath Ledger’s top films to stream on OTT right nowA fresh, green home without the effort: Plants that thrive even when you forget8 ‘weird’ dog behaviours explained: What your pet is really trying to tell youSubtle signs you’re outgrowing a friendship– And how to deal with itBroccoli vs Cauliflower: One has more nutrients, the other fewer calories, which should you really be eating?123Hot PicksBarrackpore election resultTiruchirappalli election resultMettupalayam election resultsEttumanoor election resultPerambur election resultBagnan election resultKazhakkoottam election resultTop TrendingIran warRahul GandhiBadruddin AjmalIPL Playoff Qualification ScenariosIPL 2026 Points TableMI IPL Playoff Qualification ScenariosJalandhar BlastNEET 2026: Exam-day guideSRMJEEE 2026 Phase 1 ResultTVK Chief Vijay
KOLKATA: Crown gone. Fortress laid bare. Less than 24 hours after BJP’s Bengal sweep – and shocking defeat of Mamata Banerjee in bastion Bhowanipore – a quieter, but equally symbolic, shift unfolded on the streets.The elaborate security grid that for years defined the approach to Didi’s home at 30B Harish Chatterjee Street in nearby Kalighat began to dissolve with striking speed. Along Harish Chatterjee Street, near Hazra crossing, metal scissor barricades that once carved the road into controlled corridors were dragged aside and stacked along the edges.The police personnel who regulated entry, stopping residents and passers-by for questioning, were conspicuously absent by morning.
For locals, the transformation was immediate, almost disorienting. “We had to slow down, answer questions and carry Aadhaar cards. Relatives had to take detours and we often alerted the cops in advance about their arrival,” said a neighbour of Mamata.Tarun Chatterjee, another resident of the lane, rubbed his eyes in disbelief. “When I was passing by Didi’s house today, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The usual hustle and bustle were missing. Then I saw bikes and cars moving freely. As I drove past Mamata’s house, no one questioned me,” he said.Narrow alleys connecting Harish Chatterjee Street to Kalighat Road – long sealed off in the name of security – were also reopened, restoring routes that remained inaccessible for years. “It was difficult for us to enter our own homes because of the high-profile security. While we feel sad for our VVIP resident, we are also relieved,” said Sudip Karmakar, another resident.Not far away, security layers were peeled off outside the home of Mamata’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who is TMC general secretary and MP. Police deployment was also scaled down outside Abhishek’s office on Camac Street in central Kolkata.The rollback of this security architecture, built since Mamata’s second term in 2016, came on the heels of a political upset few had anticipated. For more than 15 years, Bhowanipore was the unshakeable TMC fortress, where electoral contests often felt like formalities.
