In a major action intended to curb the extortionist ‘cut-money culture’ in West Bengal, the ruling BJP took exemplary action against its own party functionaries. The party suspended its 22 functionaries and issued show-cause notices to 250 workers, including mandal presidents, on Wednesday (5th August) over allegations of extortion and indiscipline.
The suspended party workers were reportedly holding varied responsibilities at different organisational levels. Reports quoting BJP sources said that party workers found guilty may not receive any organisational position in future. The action succeeds a wider disciplinary exercise launched by the state unit over the past three months.
The action reportedly comes weeks after the party’s state leadership publicly cautioned its cadres, saying that the’culture of extortion’ would not be tolerated. To ensure compliance with the party’s zero-tolerance policy, BJP national general secretary Sunil Bansal on Thursday held a meeting with party MLAs and district functionaries. In the meeting, MLAs were asked to be more vigilant and to pay attention to complaints regarding anti-party activities. The state-level disciplinary committee of the party will also look into such complaints.
The meeting was also attended by BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya and general secretary (organisation) Amitava Chakraborty. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya is expected to join the meeting later on Friday. Bhattacharya had earlier issued a strong warning to the party workers against inheriting the “culture” of the previous TMC regime. He gave erring party cadres a period of 15 days to mend their ways or face consequences. State ministers Dilip Ghosh, Arjun Singh and Agnimitra Paul had reiterated that the party would not shield anyone accused of extortion.
The suspensions deliver a significant political message and debunk speculations that the extortion culture of the previous TMC regime would continue unabated under the newly formed BJP government. The speculations were triggered by the switchover of several TMC leaders to the BJP following its thumping victory in the state assembly elections. The entry of TMC cadres into the BJP raised concerns that the party was heading towards its ‘Trinamoolification’.
However, the ruling BJP’s vocal opposition to the extortion culture prevalent in the state and its zero tolerance policy towards the ill practice are a clear indication that the much-awaited change is arriving.
What was the TMC’s cut-money culture?
The cut-money culture in West Bengal referred to the illegal commission or kickback demanded by local TMC political intermediaries from beneficiaries of government welfare schemes or public works. Under the previous TMC regime, its cadres demanded a ‘cut’ or bribe from people in exchange for implementing the welfare schemes of the government.
Emboldened TMC cadres enforced this unwritten rule that the beneficiaries of the government welfare schemes had to pay a portion of the benefits to the local TMC goons. The issue grabbed attention in 2019 when people in several districts of West Bengal confronted local TMC leaders and demanded that they return cut-money collected from them.
Eventually, TMC supremo and the then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had to publicly acknowledge complaints of “cut money”. She instructed party workers who had taken money from beneficiaries to return it.
