Political Winds Shift as Legal Victories Boost TMC Morale
In a significant development that has injected fresh energy into the Trinamool Congress camp, former education minister Partha Chatterjee walked out of jail on Tuesday after securing bail. This legal victory comes closely following another major win for the ruling party in West Bengal - the Supreme Court's directive to the Central government to release long-pending MNREGS funds for the state.
The timing of these developments couldn't be more crucial for the TMC, with Assembly elections scheduled for early next year. After facing a series of legal setbacks that saw several top leaders behind bars, the party is now witnessing what many within its ranks describe as a "perception-changing" turnaround.
From Jail Cells to Political Comebacks
Partha Chatterjee, once among the most prominent faces of the TMC government, had become the symbol of alleged corruption within the administration following his arrest in connection with the school recruitment scam. The investigation had revealed staggering amounts of cash recovered from properties linked to him, creating an image that the opposition BJP heavily capitalized on.
However, Chatterjee is not alone in his legal reprieve. Several other TMC leaders who were arrested in various cases have also secured bail in recent months. This includes MLAs Manik Bhattacharya and Jibankrishna Saha, youth leader Kuntal Ghosh, and senior leader Anubrata Mondol, who was arrested in an alleged cattle smuggling case but obtained bail in September.
In the alleged ration scam case, senior leader Jyotipriya Mallick along with party leaders Anisur Rehman, his elder brother Shankar Adhya, and businessman Bakibur Rahman have all been released on bail. The pattern of legal relief for party leaders has created a sense of optimism within the TMC ranks.
Financial and Political Victory with MNREGS Funds
The Supreme Court's order directing the Central government to release MNREGS funds for West Bengal represents another significant victory for the Mamata Banerjee-led administration. The Centre had withheld these funds, citing the state government's failure to provide proper audit of expenses for the scheme.
The BJP had consistently portrayed the fund freeze as a consequence of the TMC government's "confrontational stance" with the Centre and its alleged administrative "slip-ups." However, the Supreme Court verdict has essentially validated the TMC's long-standing argument that the funds were being deliberately withheld for political reasons.
TMC's second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee expressed triumph on social media platform X, stating: "Another crushing defeat for the bohiragoto Bangla-birodhi zamindars (foreign anti-Bengali zamindars)... When they failed to defeat us politically, BJP weaponised deprivation; snatching away the wages of the poor and punishing the people for standing by Maa, Mati, Manush. But Bengal does not yield."
Political Perception and Electoral Implications
A senior TMC leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted the importance of these developments in shaping public perception. "Politics is all about perception. So getting bail in a case is almost akin to an acquittal. We are enjoying that advantage as all major leaders accused of corruption have got bail," the leader explained.
Regarding the MNREGA funds, the leader added: "We repeatedly told the people that the Central government was intentionally withholding the funds and that, due to this, the poorer sections of the state were not getting their wages. In villages, people believed this. The Supreme Court verdict has basically proved that we were right, and this will give us a major political dividend."
However, the BJP remains unconvinced about any significant political advantage for the TMC. BJP leader Rahul Sinha countered: "There is no doubt that the TMC is a fully corrupt party. Don't think that these cases end the list of corruption charges against this party. Many new corruption cases will come out. Leaders coming out on bail is basically court procedure. They have not been acquitted of the allegations."
Chatterjee's Uncertain Political Future
Despite his release, Partha Chatterjee's political future within the TMC remains uncertain. The party has maintained its distance from the former minister, who was suspended following his arrest. When the 73-year-old leader returned home on Tuesday, visibly emotional and unable to control his tears, no TMC leaders were present to receive him.
Chatterjee told reporters: "Truth will prevail and people will be the judge." However, insiders suggest that his isolation might not be permanent. Another senior TMC leader noted: "Still he knows the TMC inside out having been in it from the very first day when Mamata formed it. He also has good relations with old leaders of the party. So his release from jail could have a bearing on the organisation, especially in his Assembly constituency of Behala (West)."
The recent legal developments have undoubtedly shifted the political dynamics in West Bengal. With the Assembly elections approaching early next year, both the TMC and BJP are carefully calibrating their strategies, aware that in politics, perception often matters as much as reality.
