IT Raid on TMC Candidate Debasish Kumar Sparks Day-Long Ordeal and Protests in Kolkata
In a dramatic turn of events, Trinamool Congress candidate for the Rashbehari constituency, Debasish Kumar, was abruptly awakened early Friday morning when a team of Income Tax officers, accompanied by central force personnel, arrived at his second-floor flat on Monoharpukur Road in south Kolkata. The raid, which began at 6 am, unfolded after Kumar had returned home well past midnight following a whirlwind tour of his constituency, finally going to sleep at 2 am.
Unwelcome Guests and a Test of Patience
Despite his fatigue, Kumar, a seasoned politician, displayed no resistance and agreed to cooperate with the officials. However, what he anticipated as a brief interrogation quickly escalated into a grueling day-long ordeal. The IT officers not only questioned Kumar at his residence but also extended their search to the flat of his nonagenarian mother-in-law on nearby Monoharpukur Second Lane, adding to the tension.
Outside, supporters who had learned of the raid gathered in solidarity, with the crowd swelling by noon as local residents joined party activists. Sensing the potential for unrest, Kumar issued instructions to his followers to maintain calm, warning that any trouble would only benefit his political rivals.
Solidarity and Support from Friends and Neighbors
Jayanta Manna, Kumar's childhood friend, took leave from his private sector job to camp near the residence since early morning. "I have come here to show my solidarity to my friend," Manna stated. "The IT officers have the right to interrogate, but they don't have the right to harass a politician. I won't leave the place till Kumar is freed from their clutches."
Neighbors, including Supriti Maitra, a model who arrived with her father, also waited patiently. Maitra, who expressed no interest in politics, described Kumar as a father figure and condemned the raid as "simply harassment."
Expansion of the Raid and Confrontations
The IT operation extended beyond Kumar's home, with officers taking over a Trinamool Congress office intended for Ballygunge candidate Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay. Chandra Sekhar Pandey, an octogenarian residing on the first floor of the building, recounted his initial fear upon seeing strangers occupy the ground-floor party office. His son, a principal at a reputable south Kolkata school, confronted the officials and later understood it was part of the raid.
As the day progressed, supporters braved the heat and humidity, but tensions flared when Central Armed Police Forces jawans barred party workers from entering Kumar's residence with an election expenditure file that required his signature for submission to the Election Commission by 5:30 pm. After a half-hour wait and commotion, the jawans relented, allowing the file to be delivered.
Escalating Protests and Vows of Resistance
By 4:30 pm, a demonstration erupted as agitating Trinamool supporters demanded Kumar's release. As dusk fell, more supporters joined the movement, vowing not to disperse until the IT officers and jawans departed. The scene underscored the high-stakes political climate in Kolkata, with the raid becoming a flashpoint for broader tensions ahead of the elections.
This incident highlights the intense scrutiny faced by political candidates during election season, raising questions about the timing and nature of such enforcement actions. The prolonged standoff and community response reflect the deep-seated loyalties and volatile atmosphere in the region.
