KOLKATA: As part of its purification drive, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal has decided to set up its own “intelligence and crime wing”, instead of depending on the state’s police.
The party wants to soon implement chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee’s drive against “syndicate raj” (mafia operations), cow smuggling to Bangladesh, illegal opium cultivation and the party workers’ illegal activities at fisheries and brick kilns. A large number of TMC workers are involved in these sectors which fetch huge money.
To begin with, the North 24 Parganas TMC district committee is deploying a team of party sleuths as the problem is more acute here, with posh New Town and Salt Lake witnessing a real estate boom and allegations of extortions rampant.
With the North 24-Parganas TMC district committee deploying a team of party sleuths, several leaders in the district are spending sleepless nights. They allegedly patronise syndicates for electoral gains. Bidhannagar Municipality mayor Sabyasachi Datta, had once said: “Without syndicates the government will fall. I need not spend a pie during my elections.”
However, a furious Mamata Banerjee during a meeting had asked leaders to crack down on illegal activities.
Taking the cue, state food minister Jyotipriyo Mullick formed a seven-member “sleuth team”. They are lesser known leaders who are faceless and committed to the TMC.
The team has been provided with a vehicle with expenses for fuel, boarding and lodging. Other than the Bidhannagar Muncipality, they will tour 27 municipalities, 23 panchayat samitis.
They will probe and then submit a report to Mullick who will forward it to the TMC leadership for stringent action.
Mamata entrusted UD minister Firhad Hakim to conduct a class with all TMC councillors.