A dramatic police operation at the Kalighat residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee triggered political ripples across West Bengal on Saturday, with the party leader later claiming that his entire house had been searched and linking the wider political atmosphere to attempts to split the ruling party.

Police personnel from Salboni Police Station, accompanied by central security forces, arrived at Abhishek’s south Kolkata residence in the early hours of Saturday.

The search reportedly began around 3 am and continued for more than four hours. The operation was conducted in connection with the search for Sumit Roy, considered a close aide of Abhishek.

Kolkata Police personnel were also present, while central forces and disaster management teams maintained a security cordon around the residence throughout the operation.

Former West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee also reached the residence after news of the search spread and remained present during parts of the operation.

‘I have fully cooperated’: Abhishek Banerjee

Speaking to reporters after the search concluded, Abhishek maintained that he had extended full cooperation to the investigating authorities.

'I have cooperated with the investigation in every possible way. Whether I have hidden anyone or not, my entire house has been searched. You should ask the investigating officers those questions,' he said.

According to police sources, the operation was launched after Sumit Roy’s mobile phone location was allegedly traced to the Trinamool MP’s residence on Friday night.

Roy faces allegations related to extortion and land-related irregularities. However, police reportedly did not find Roy at the residence during the search.

The raid quickly became one of the biggest political talking points in the state, coming at a time when the TMC is facing growing internal turbulence.

Abhishek breaks silence on TMC split

Hours after addressing the police action, Abhishek also spoke publicly about the ongoing unrest within the TMC, where several leaders and legislators have recently questioned his leadership and role within the organisation.

The comments come amid reports of widening divisions within the party following its electoral setback, with criticism emerging from both MPs and MLAs.

Seeking to project confidence, Abhishek argued that attempts to weaken or divide the TMC were not new and insisted that the party remained politically strong despite recent challenges.

'Attempts to break the party have been going on for a long time. Even after millions of voters were removed from electoral rolls, the Trinamool Congress secured 41 per cent of the vote and received the support of more than 26 million people. We will continue to represent them and will not give up even an inch of political space,' he said.

‘Agency fear’ being used to weaken TMC

Abhishek went a step further by alleging that investigative agencies were being used as instruments of political pressure.

He claimed that fear surrounding agencies such as the CBI and CID was being deployed to influence political leaders and create divisions within the Trinamool Congress.

'If anyone thinks that the TMC can be subdued through intimidation, threats or smear campaigns using agencies such as the CID and CBI, they are mistaken. The Trinamool Congress came to power after dislodging the 34-year CPI(M) regime. Those making grand speeches should confront us politically,' he said.

The remarks are likely to sharpen the political debate over the role of investigative agencies in Bengal politics, an issue that has frequently featured in confrontations between the Trinamool Congress and its rivals.

Conciliatory tone for Kalyan Banerjee

Abhishek also responded to recent criticism from senior Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee, who had publicly questioned his leadership and suggested that the party leadership choose between the two leaders.

Rather than escalating the confrontation, Abhishek struck a conciliatory note. He said Kalyan Banerjee had known him since childhood and had every right to express criticism or disappointment.

'I have no personal resentment towards him. I respected him in the past and I will continue to respect him in the future,' Abhishek said.

The measured response is being viewed as an attempt to ease tensions within the party as its leadership grapples with both external pressure and internal dissent.

With a high-profile police search and an increasingly visible factional battle unfolding simultaneously, the coming weeks could prove crucial for both Abhishek Banerjee and the future course of the TMC.