Why Sandeshkhali forced usually defiant TMC into a corner

Unrest that spread from an island to the mainland, allegations of tribals’ land being taken away, a fear of alienating the women vote bank, and a relentless opposition are among factors that forced the Trinamool Congress government’s hand and led to the arrest of its leader Sheikh Shahjahan, leaders from the party and the opposition say.

The final push, though, came from the Calcutta High Court which, on Wednesday, ruled that central agencies can arrest Shahjahan. Soon after, the Bengal Police picked up the TMC strongman who had been absconding for 55 days since his followers assaulted an Enforcement Directorate team.

This is a departure from previous cases, wherein central agencies made an arrest once the High Court transferred the case into their hands. Take the example of:

Anubarata Mondal, TMC strongman and Birbhum district president. Mondal faced cases of intimidation and murder dating back to 2013, but was not questioned by the police. It was on August 11, 2022 that the CBI arrested him in cases pertaining to alleged cattle smuggling and money laundering. Later, the ED took him into custody and he was sent to Tihar jail.

Partha Chatterjee, former education minister and industries minister. He was allegedly involved in the primary teachers recruitment in schools. While he was not questioned by the state police when an alleged recruitment scam came to light, Chhatterjee was arrested by the ED on July 23, 2022 after a 20-hour search at his home.

Jyotipriya Mullick, former food minister. FIRs were lodged by the state police in connection with alleged ration scams at three different police stations in May 2020. However, Mullick was not investigated. Later, the ED arrested one Bakibur Rehman, a businessman and alleged aide of