Politics in West Bengal has taken a new turn after three bank accounts of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) were placed under a ‘debit freeze’. These accounts reportedly hold around ₹440 crore.
Sources indicate that similar action may be taken against some other party accounts in the coming days. This move comes at a time when the party is already facing an internal crisis due to rebellion by several MLAs and MPs.
According to information, 10 MLAs loyal to Ritabrata Banerjee filed a complaint regarding the source of funds in these accounts. The MLAs lodged an FIR at the Cyber Crime Police Station under Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate and demanded a probe.
In the complaint, they sought an investigation into the source of the money deposited in the accounts and the financial transactions carried out through them.
A senior police officer confirmed that a ‘debit freeze’ has been imposed on three accounts in a private bank. This means no money can be withdrawn or any transactions carried out from these accounts, though deposits are still allowed.
The complainants have also demanded to know whether the funds in the accounts came from legitimate sources or are linked to alleged misuse of public funds or any scam-like illegal activities.
There has been a long-standing tussle between the factions of former minister Arup Biswas and opposition leader Ritabrata Banerjee over control of the TMC’s organisational and financial structure.
This infighting became more open after the party’s defeat in the recent Assembly elections. The freezing of the bank accounts has further intensified this internal dispute.
The political tug-of-war was also visible during the first session of the new Assembly on Thursday. When the session began, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and the rebel MLAs were seen sitting on separate benches, clearly showing the growing rift within the party in public view.
The action on the bank accounts is being seen not just as a financial investigation, but as a significant chapter in the ongoing power struggle within the TMC.
