A resurfaced video from 2022 has ignited a fresh political controversy in West Bengal, featuring a prominent local leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) seated before a substantial stack of currency notes. The footage has led to allegations of illicit cash transactions from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Viral Clip and Immediate Allegations
The video in question shows Giasuddin Mondal, the Vice-Chairman of a Panchayat Samiti in Barasat, sitting at a table with a large pile of Indian rupee notes arranged in front of him. The clip began circulating widely on social media on January 4, 2026, shared by BJP handles and supporters. The BJP's West Bengal unit quickly seized upon it, questioning the source of the "mountain of cash" and insinuating corrupt practices.
In a pointed social media post, the state BJP asked, "Where did so much money come from?" and further alleged, "Did 75% go to TMC as mandated by Mamata Banerjee?" using the hashtag #TrinamoolManeChor. Another user questioned why such a large physical cash transaction would occur in an era of digital payments, cheques, and bank transfers.
TMC Leader's Defence and Clarification
Facing the barrage of accusations, Mohammad Giasuddin Mondal firmly dismissed the charges. The TMC leader clarified that the viral video was not new but was from the year 2022. He asserted that the money visible in the clip was legitimate and related to a private land deal.
Mondal stated that he had no direct role in the transaction itself and was merely present. He characterized the BJP's allegations as a desperate attempt to create a sensational issue out of an old, explained incident to tarnish the image of the Trinamool Congress ahead of the political season.
Political Repercussions and Ongoing War of Words
This incident has added fuel to the already heated political atmosphere in West Bengal. The BJP continues to use the video to attack the TMC's governance model, alleging a culture of corruption and cash-based dealings. The controversy taps into a larger narrative often pushed by the opposition regarding the source of funding for the ruling party.
Conversely, the TMC views this as a classic example of the BJP recycling old, debunked content to launch a smear campaign. The party's defence rests on the timing and context of the video, arguing it shows a legal personal transaction being politicized. As of now, the issue remains in the realm of social media sparring and political rhetoric, with no formal legal complaint reported based solely on this video.
The episode underscores how old digital content can resurface to cause significant political damage, forcing leaders to constantly defend their past actions. It also highlights the deep trust deficit and the aggressive political discourse that characterizes the relationship between the two major parties in the state.
