Earlier, when a Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) team had begun the demolition drive on December 17, traders had appealed to the civic body to give them an extension to relocate their shops. Subsequently, the drive was suspended till December 31.

“Since the relaxation period is over, we will start our drive soon,” said Bhattcharya.

Reacting to the protest by the traders and Trinamool Congress workers, he added: “We are following a court order which has directed the government to demolish illegal structures in the market. Some senior leaders had also agreed to cooperate, but now they have started opposing the move. It seems that they have a political compulsion to oppose every decision taken by the ruling party.”