The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is crying foul and alleging political intimidation after Income Tax (IT) raids were held at the residence and offices of the party's Rashbihari candidate, Debashish Kumar early Friday morning. The raids took place in South Kolkata and were accompanied by the deployment of central forces, triggering protests from TMC workers.
Kumar, the incumbent MLA and a Member of the Mayor-in-Council in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), had already been questioned three times by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a land-grabbing case.
Authorities are examining Kumar’s alleged links to businessman Amit Gangopadhyay, whose properties were also raided by the ED. Investigators reportedly found phone chats suggesting that details of disputed land were shared with Kumar.
The probe is focused on whether illegal construction and the use of disputed land were carried out with assistance from the KMC. Gangopadhyay is accused of forging documents, fraudulently acquiring land papers, and selling properties at inflated prices for construction.
These developments came to light following complaints about illegal construction on one such property. In a related move, IT officials also raided the residence of another TMC associate, Kumar Saha, on Friday.
Kumar is contesting against BJP candidate Swapan Dasgupta in the Rashbihari constituency.
The TMC is aiming to secure a fourth consecutive term in West Bengal. Party leaders have repeatedly accused the BJP of using central agencies to target TMC leaders and influence the electoral process. The timing of the raids, just days before Assembly elections scheduled for April 23 and 29, has intensified these allegations.
Calling the BJP a "shameless outsider political party" which is a coward to fight face to face, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said raids are being planned on her plane while her security officers are also being raided. Addressing a meeting at Coochbehar district, she appealed to voters, "Give them a ‘visarjan’ (farewell)."
While strongly protesting the raids, the TMC has avoided an overly aggressive response. Instead, the party is positioning itself as a victim of politically motivated actions, aiming to project an underdog image ahead of the elections.
Senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, have highlighted issues such as corruption within the TMC. Amit Shah has also stated that if the BJP comes to power, those involved in corruption will be identified and put behind bars.
