Kolkata: Amit Malviya, the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Information Technology cell, shared a video on social media on Thursday that allegedly shows a Trinamool Congress leader hiding under his bed to escape an angry crowd. The BJP leader remarked that the 'cut-money scam' in West Bengal was 'producing scenes straight out of a political farce.'
Video from Cooch Behar
According to the news agency PTI, the video is from Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district. Locals had surrounded the residence of TMC leader Shahidul Miya, accusing him of extorting sums ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 from beneficiaries of government housing schemes.
Malviya's Comments on X
Malviya wrote on X: 'As investigations tighten and arrests mount, those who once exploited the poor are finding it increasingly difficult to hide, even under a bed.' He added, 'The cut-money scam in West Bengal is now producing scenes straight out of a political farce.'
'As public anger erupted, the TMC leader hid under his bed to escape the furious crowd. Eventually, police had to rescue him from his hiding place,' Malviya wrote alongside the video. PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
Pattern of Corruption Allegations
The BJP leader further stated, 'From Kakdwip to Namkhana and now Mathabhanga, the story remains the same: cut-money, corruption, and panic.' This statement follows reports that several residents of Mathabhanga recently recovered 'cut-money' they had paid to local toughs to avail benefits of government schemes during the previous TMC regime.
TMC's Response
According to PTI, the district TMC leadership claimed that the party has no connection with such illegal collections from villagers or traders. Since the BJP came to power in the state, demands for the return of 'cut money' allegedly taken by TMC-linked local toughs have increased in several parts of Mathabhanga, leading perpetrators to return at least a portion of the money.
Similar Incidents
In a related incident, a TMC panchayat member returned Rs 5,000 each to 45 villagers in Patibunia village, located in the Namkhana area of South 24 Parganas district.
