The Decline of TMC in West Bengal: A Cautionary Tale

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What do you think is the main reason for TMC's decline in West Bengal?

Corruption and extortionPoor governancePublic discontentOther

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Bengal Election Results: The political landscape of West Bengal has fundamentally shifted. While Mamata Banerjee’s imaginative subsidies and doles like Lakshmir Bhandar successfully sustained millions for over a decade, handouts could not outlast systemic corruption and lawlessness. The TMC, which ruled the state with an absolute majority for 15 years, has now been reduced to 80 seats. Underneath the welfare facade, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was systematically digging its own grave, inch by inch, through institutionalised extortion and arrogance.Also Read: Ballots of change: Gen-z finally said they want more through Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Kerala poll resultsInstitutionalized Extortion: From Tolls to Danda TaxAt the core of the public’s wrath was the brazen culture of Tolabazi (extortion) and hafta vasooli, as alleged by locals. Corruption wasn’t hidden; it was a parallel economy. On the Siliguri highway, the Fulbari toll booth was notoriously operated not by the NHAI, but by TMC henchmen collecting illegal levies as claimed by the vehicle owners using the stretch. This pattern extended across state lines through the infamous danda tax, where the TMC workers extorted every truck entering Bengal from other states, issuing official-looking slips under the guise of other charges.In urban pockets, public transport was bled dry, with TMC-backed unions forcing a daily cut-money tax of Rs 100–Rs 200 on every single bus. Meanwhile, real estate became a hostage negotiation. Neighbourhood goons demanded hefty ‘fees’ if a resident merely repaired a roof, while a slick, multi-tier ‘payment per square foot’ system forced real estate promoters to line the pockets of multiple tiers of TMC leaders.Also Read: West Bengal election results decoded: Did SIR drive BJP’s massive win? Data tells the storyThe Opulence of the Local Neta vs. Youth DespairThis relentless extortion created a glaring, infuriating wealth gap. The tired, unemployed, or underpaid young man delivering food for Swiggy or earning pennies riding a Rapido bike noticed exactly where the money went. He watched his local TMC leader—who once lived in a tiny, leaky shack—effortlessly move into a lavish three-storey mansion, while they struggled for daily needs.As leaders encroached upon public spaces like parks, local police and municipal authorities fawned upon them. Together, they packed and blocked every square foot of public thoroughfares with illegal hawkers for steady kickbacks, completely destroying civic life.Cultural Backlash, Violence, and the Reclaiming of BengalThe overreach wasn’t just financial; it became deeply social and political. In several Muslim-majority pockets, majoritarian appeasement led to temples being forced shut—a flashpoint highlighted when the iconic Durga Temple in Asansol finally reopened following the BJPs recent Bengal victory. Furthermore, years of suppressed anger over horrific post-poll violence and rampant rape incidents broke the fear barrier among the electorate.The immediate aftermath of the election results captures a symbolic collapse. TMC had previously encroached upon and seized opposition strongholds; today, resilient Left and Congress workers are actively reclaiming their party offices from fleeing TMC cadres. The ‘cut-money’ culture has been decisively rejected. By choosing greed over governance, the TMC didnt just lose an election—it meticulously engineered its own downfall.From Socialism to HenchmanshipThe TMC goons fear was such that people feared in expressing their faith, carrying out renovations for their own homes, struggling to get their lands encroached upon by the TMC goons and forced to pay cut money to the TMC workers. The public apathy was brewing the sentiment against the Mamata Government, which she failed to see. The fall was imminent, the public was waiting only for a fair chance, which they got with 2.5 lakh central forces guarding the state during the polls. The result is out for everyone to see.(Disclaimer: The views, analysis, and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or editorial stance of Zee News)

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May 6, 2026

The Decline of TMC in West Bengal: A Cautionary Tale

Opinion: How TMC dug its own grave in West Bengal - Inch by inch, year by year

Zee News

·4 min read·west-bengal-electionstrinamool-congress-declinepolitical-corruption

Opinion: How TMC dug its own grave in West Bengal - Inch by inch, year by year

Image: Zee News

💡 In a Nutshell

The Trinamool Congress (TMC), once dominant in West Bengal, has seen a drastic decline in power, dropping to 80 seats due to systemic corruption and extortion practices. Public discontent over financial exploitation and lawlessness has fueled this political shift, leading to a significant backlash against the party's governance.

◆🔑 Key Points

01TMC's power reduced to 80 seats from an absolute majority due to corruption.
02Public anger stemmed from systemic extortion practices like Tolabazi and hafta vasooli.
03Wealth disparity grew as local leaders flaunted newfound opulence amid youth despair.
04The election results symbolize a reclaiming of political power by opposition parties.
05The TMC's governance failures led to a decisive rejection of its culture of corruption.

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✎📝 Full Summary

The political landscape in West Bengal has shifted dramatically as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has seen its seats drop to 80 from a previous absolute majority. This decline is attributed to rampant corruption and a culture of extortion, notably through practices such as Tolabazi (extortion) and hafta vasooli (protection money). Public outrage has been fueled by the stark wealth gap between TMC leaders and ordinary citizens, with many residents witnessing their local leaders transition from poverty to opulence. The TMC's governance failures and the resultant public apathy culminated in a backlash during the recent elections, where opposition parties, including the Left and Congress, began reclaiming their strongholds. The TMC's overreach, characterized by financial exploitation and social unrest, has led to a significant rejection of its leadership, marking a pivotal moment in West Bengal's political history.

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##️⃣ Key Figures

Seats held by TMC after the recent elections

2.5 lakh

Central forces deployed during the elections

!❗ Why It Matters

The decline of TMC may lead to a more competitive political environment in West Bengal, potentially benefiting opposition parties and altering governance dynamics.

👥 Who is affected

voters, local residents, opposition party members

ℹ️ What to know

Voters should engage in the political process and hold elected officials accountable for their actions.

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?❓ FAQ

The decline was primarily due to systemic corruption, extortion practices, and a growing public discontent with the party's governance.

The public expressed anger over financial exploitation and lawlessness, leading to a significant political shift in the recent elections.

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What do you think is the main reason for TMC's decline in West Bengal?

Corruption and extortionPoor governancePublic discontentOther

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The Decline of TMC in West Bengal: A Cautionary Tale

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