The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders in Cooch Behar collected and are now returning approximately Rs 80 lakh [1].
The allegation highlights a recurring political conflict in West Bengal regarding "cut money," a term used to describe illegal commissions taken by officials. This specific case suggests a breakdown in local party control if leaders are now returning funds to avoid public backlash.
According to the BJP, the funds were collected from villagers over a five-year period [1]. The party said this process serves as evidence of systemic corruption within the TMC ranks in the Cooch Behar district [1].
Local residents have reportedly taken an active role in seeking the return of these funds. Some villagers are using loudspeakers to blare reminders to the accused leaders [2]. The community has set a deadline of June 4, 2024, for the full return of the money [2].
While some leaders have promised to return the funds, others remain untraceable [2]. The BJP said the pressure from the community has forced these leaders to start paying back the money they took [1].
This dispute centers on the Cooch Behar district, where the political atmosphere remains tense. The BJP continues to use these instances to challenge the TMC's governance record in the region [1].
“TMC leaders in Cooch Behar collected and are now returning approximately Rs 80 lakh.”
The situation in Cooch Behar underscores the volatility of grassroots politics in West Bengal, where allegations of 'cut money' are frequently used as political weapons. If the BJP's claims are accurate, the act of returning the money suggests that local TMC leaders may be facing significant social or legal pressure, potentially shifting the local power dynamic in favor of the opposition.
