Continued Crackdown on TMC Leaders in West Bengal Amid Political Shift

In West Bengal, the crackdown on Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders persists following a political shift. Sheikh Wasul, a TMC labor union leader, was arrested for allegedly intimidating locals and influencing voters. This comes amid multiple complaints against him and other TMC leaders, including former minister Sujit Bose, who faces serious allegations related to a municipal recruitment scam. The ongoing investigations reveal a complex web of political tensions and corruption, raising questions about the future of TMC in the state. Read on to discover more about these developments and their implications.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 22, 2026, 13:33 IST

Ongoing Actions Against TMC Leaders

Despite a change in power in West Bengal, actions against leaders and workers associated with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) show no signs of slowing down. Recently, another TMC leader was arrested on allegations of intimidating local residents, committing fraud, and attempting to influence voters ahead of the elections. According to police sources, Sheikh Wasul, the president of the TMC labor union unit, is accused of extorting large sums of money from individuals by making false promises of employment, as well as creating a climate of fear to establish his dominance in the area. While being taken into custody, he claimed to a private media outlet, 'I am innocent. I have served the party for 15 years, and there have been no complaints against me.'

Allegations of Voter Intimidation

Sources further indicated that Wasul faced accusations of pressuring voters before the assembly elections, which led to heightened tensions in the locality. It has been reported that several residents lodged complaints with the police prior to the elections. In fact, sources revealed that multiple complaints against him had been pending for a long time. As part of the ongoing crackdown on TMC leaders following the political shift in West Bengal, the Durgapur-Faridpur police conducted a raid late Thursday night and apprehended Sheikh Wasul from the Laudoha area of the Durgapur-Faridpur block. Wasul, a resident of Rangmati in the Durgapur-Faridpur region, was presented in the Durgapur sub-divisional court on Friday morning.

Significant Arrests Following Political Changes

The first major arrest following the rise of the Shubhendu Adhikari government was that of former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday. He is accused of involvement in a municipal recruitment scam. ED sources allege that Bose recommended around 150 candidates for various positions under the South Dumdum municipality in exchange for financial benefits. The agency also claims to have traced the proceeds of crime in the form of flats that the former minister allegedly acquired in return for helping individuals secure jobs in the municipality. Investigators further alleged that substantial cash deposits were found in bank accounts linked to him. Bose was arrested shortly after being summoned for questioning by the ED regarding this case.