Bulldozers razed multiple structures near Kolkata's iconic New Market on the evening of May 5, 2026, in an operation conducted with police presence and CAPF personnel on site, according to Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien, who shared video footage on social media. The structures, reportedly housing meat shops, were demolished during what O'Brien described as BJP-led victory celebrations.

Separate visuals from Jiaganj in Murshidabad district showed a Lenin statue vandalized by a mob on the same day, escalating communal and political tensions across West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress alleged coordinated actions by Bharatiya Janata Party workers, calling the New Market incident a 'targeted attack' on minority-owned businesses.

The Kolkata Police have not issued an official statement on the demolition, while state election monitors are assessing whether the use of heavy machinery and public gatherings violated Model Code of Conduct norms. The Election Commission is expected to review footage and file a report, with further directives anticipated by May 7.