“Bulldozer politics” reaches Bengal? Jagaddal land dispute takes dramatic turn after regime change

A long-pending land dispute in the Gangulipara area of Jagaddal Assembly constituency has taken a dramatic turn, fuelling debate over the emergence of “bulldozer politics” in West Bengal following the recent change in power. The controversy centres on a plot allegedly encroached upon and developed into a park, which was cleared by the affected family using a bulldozer.

The land, reportedly owned by local resident Kajoli Ganguly’s family, had been under dispute since 2022. Allegations were made that former MLA Somnath Shyam had forcibly occupied the private property and constructed a park featuring the “Biswa Bangla” logo. Despite drawing attention at the time, the matter remained unresolved, with no permanent legal outcome.

In a significant escalation, the family recently removed the structure themselves, bringing in heavy machinery to reclaim the land. The incident drew a large gathering of local residents and quickly became a focal point of political discussion, with many linking the action to the broader shift in governance in the state.

The development has triggered sharp reactions, with questions being raised about whether such actions indicate the beginning of a “bulldozer politics” approach in Bengal, similar to trends seen elsewhere. However, no official statement has been issued by the administration, and it remains unclear whether the demolition was legally sanctioned or purely a private initiative.