TMC leader Derek O’Brien touts Kolkata’s safety record as Mamata Banerjee eyes fourth term

‎In the newest instalment of his social media series “Morning Walk #8,” Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien spotlighted Kolkata’s crime statistics, linking the city’s safety record to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s bid for a fourth consecutive term in office.

‎Speaking in a video shared on his WhatsApp channel, O’Brien asserted that Banerjee was “just weeks away from being blessed by voters for a fourth term as Chief Minister,” arguing that law and order under her leadership has strengthened public confidence in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

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‎Central to his remarks were recent figures published by the National Crime Records Bureau, which show Kolkata recording the lowest rate of cognisable offences among Indian metropolitan cities. The data indicates that the city logged roughly 83.9 offences per lakh population, significantly lower than the national average of around 828 per lakh.

‎“This consistent performance places Kolkata among the safest cities in the country and reflects the effective governance and policing support under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership,” O’Brien said, presenting the numbers as evidence of administrative stability.

‎The TMC has frequently highlighted Kolkata’s safety rankings, contrasting them with challenges faced by other major urban centres. Supporters cite additional data showing relatively low instances of crimes against senior citizens compared to other metros, reinforcing the party’s narrative of strong civic management.

‎Political observers note that the renewed focus on crime statistics comes at a crucial electoral juncture, with the opposition stepping up efforts to dent the TMC’s dominance in West Bengal. Law and order, along with development and welfare delivery, is expected to remain a central theme in campaign messaging.

‎At the same time, the “safest city” claim has sparked debate among some civic groups and commentators, who argue that crime data may not always capture the full picture and have raised concerns in the past about possible underreporting in large cities.

‎In his remarks, O’Brien maintained that everyday experiences of safety matter most to residents. “When families feel secure walking the streets, it speaks volumes about our administration’s priorities and the trust people place in us,” he said.

‎With elections approaching, questions around governance, security and urban development are set to dominate political discourse across the state.