New Delhi, Feb28 (.) In the latest episode of his social media series “Morning Walk #8,” Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien on Saturday underscored the city’s reputation as one of India’s safest metropolises, as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee edges closer to securing a fourth term in office.
In a video posted on his WhatsApp channel, O’Brien said, “Mamata Banerjee is just weeks away from being blessed by voters for Term 4 as Chief Minister,” framing the city’s law-and-order achievements as a key reason for the party’s continued public support.
A major focus of the TMC leader’s message was the latest crime statistics showing Kolkata’s relatively low levels of cognisable offences. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau, Kolkata recorded the lowest rate of cognisable crimes among all Indian metropolitan cities, at approximately 83.9 offences per lakh population — well below the national average of around 828 per lakh.
”This consistent performance,” O’Brien noted, “places Kolkata among the safest cities in the country and reflects the effective governance and policing support under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership.”
Kolkata’s safety record has been a point of pride for the TMC and its supporters, who often cite it against other national urban centres grappling with rising crime rates. In addition to the low overall crime rate, recent figures also showed the city recorded minimal cases of crimes against senior citizens compared to other metros, based on parliamentary data shared last year.
Political analysts say the party’s emphasis on public safety and civic management is strategically timed ahead of elections, as the opposition seeks to challenge the TMC’s long-standing dominance in the state.
However, the safety narrative has drawn mixed reactions. Some civic commentators and residents point to underreporting and argue that official figures may not capture the full picture of crime dynamics in large cities. Independent experts have previously raised such concerns in response to national crime data.
In his series, O’Brien also highlighted Kolkata’s “safe city” status as a compelling story to present to voters and reinforce confidence in the TMC’s governance model. “When families feel secure walking the streets,” he said, “it speaks volumes about our administration’s priorities and the trust people place in us.”
With the state election just weeks away, debates over urban safety, governance, and development are likely to intensify as political parties engage with voters across West Bengal.
. SKA IM
