Lok Sabha MP and Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s office in Amtala, located in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, was demolished by the district administration on Saturday, triggering a fresh political confrontation between the ruling BJP government in the state and the opposition Trinamool Congress.

Administration cites alleged building violations

According to officials, the office was demolished because it was allegedly constructed without an approved building plan. Authorities said notices seeking explanations and relevant documents regarding the construction were issued on June 30 and July 7.

The administration also directed the Diamond Harbour MP to appear before district officials on July 15 and submit his response.

Officials claimed that no reply was received to either notice and that Banerjee did not appear before the administration as instructed. Following this, authorities decided to proceed with demolition.

A bulldozer was brought to the site on Saturday morning, and a heavy police presence was deployed after security arrangements were put in place around the premises before the demolition began.

Trinamool Congress alleges political revenge

Reacting to the action, the Trinamool Congress accused the BJP of targeting its leaders through what it described as “vengeful, violent politics.”

The party said the matter is already pending before a court and alleged that a “bulldozer culture” has emerged in West Bengal since the BJP came to power. It described the demolition as an act of political vengeance and alleged “goonda raj” during the operation.

Political backdrop

The demolition comes months after the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, in which the BJP secured 208 seats in the 294-member Assembly, ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule. The Trinamool was reduced to 80 seats, while former party leader Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the state’s Chief Minister.

Since its electoral defeat, the Mamata Banerjee-led party has witnessed internal turmoil. A faction of MLAs backed Ritabrata Banerjee, who is now the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. Several Lok Sabha MPs also left the party to join the Nationalist Citizens Party of India, while former Rajya Sabha MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik resigned and later joined the BJP.

Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace is set to launch Vikram-1 from Sriharikota, marking a significant milestone for India’s growing private space industry.

India is set to witness a landmark moment in its space journey as Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot Aerospace prepares to launch Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the mission as a “historic new frontier” ahead of the scheduled liftoff on Saturday.

PM Modi praises Vikram-1 mission

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Vikram-1 mission reflects the talent, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of India’s youth. He noted that the launch vehicle has been developed by Skyroot Aerospace to provide rapid and on-demand launch services, calling it a major step in India’s expanding space ecosystem.

Mission Aagaman set for liftoff from Sriharikota

The launch, named Mission Aagaman, is scheduled to lift off at 11:30 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The mission is expected to become a defining moment for India’s private space sector, highlighting the increasing participation of domestic startups in satellite launch services.

Rocket to carry PM’s ‘Vande Mataram’ message into space

Vikram-1 will carry a commemorative card featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message, “Vande Mataram”, into space. The rocket will also transport hundreds of commemorative cards carrying wishes and aspirations submitted by people from around the world.

Former ISRO chief extends best wishes

Former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath wished the Skyroot Aerospace team success ahead of the mission. He described the launch as an important milestone for India’s fast-growing private space industry and expressed confidence in the team’s efforts.

The United States launched military strikes on Iran for the seventh consecutive night on Friday, while Tehran warned it could significantly expand its offensive if the attacks continue for several more days.

According to the US Central Command, American forces carried out another round of strikes aimed at “continuing to degrade Iranian military capabilities.” The latest attacks come amid an escalating conflict that has seen both countries exchange drone and missile strikes across the region.

Iran warns of wider offensive

Iranian officials accused the United States of targeting civilian infrastructure, including an airport, a railway station and two bridges. Tehran also claimed it had carried out strikes against US military assets across the region.

Major General Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, warned that Iran would resume “full-scale offensive operations” if US attacks continue for another two or three days.

He said Iran would no longer restrict itself to proportional retaliation and warned that “no political border will be safe” if the conflict escalates further.

US President Donald Trump had earlier warned that Iranian infrastructure could become a target, although there was no official confirmation from Washington that such infrastructure had been struck during Friday’s operations.

UN expresses concern over escalation

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the intensifying conflict and said attacks targeting civilian infrastructure were unacceptable.

The current round of hostilities began on February 28 following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Tehran responded by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, and launching attacks against Israel and US interests across the Gulf region.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards aerospace force commander Majid Mousavi said operations against US targets would continue until Washington halted military action around Iran’s southern coastal areas and the Strait of Hormuz.

Regional tensions widen

The conflict has increasingly spread across the Middle East.

Iran said it targeted US military positions in Kuwait, where authorities reported damage to a power and water facility. Kuwait’s military also said several personnel were injured in drone attacks on military bases.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for strikes on US radar systems and military aircraft in Qatar. Qatari authorities said they successfully intercepted a missile attack.

Iran also claimed to have attacked two US radar sites in Oman and the Al-Tanf military base in Syria. However, a Syrian military source denied any attack on the base, while US officials said American troops had already withdrawn from Al-Tanf earlier this year.

Jordan’s military said it intercepted three Iranian missiles, while Bahrain reported precautionary measures after Iranian state media claimed US aircraft and helicopters stationed at an airbase there had been targeted.

Civilian impact and diplomatic efforts

The conflict has also affected civilian infrastructure and essential services.

Iran’s energy ministry urged citizens to reduce electricity consumption after it said US strikes placed pressure on the country’s energy facilities and power grid.

In Iraq’s Kurdistan region, the exiled Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan said drone and rocket attacks killed nine of its members, blaming Iran for the strikes.

Iran’s health ministry said at least 38 people have been killed and more than 400 injured since the latest phase of fighting began.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continued. China and Pakistan called on both Washington and Tehran to halt military operations and return to negotiations.

The wider regional crisis has also disrupted maritime security. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said a commercial tanker was struck by a projectile overnight off the coast of Oman as attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz continued.