In a significant escalation of law enforcement activities involving the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Kolkata, several party officials have been detained. This wave of arrests centres on allegations of extortion, cheating, as well as criminal intimidation alongside property disputes. The latest individual taken into custody is Mahesh Kumar Sharma, a councillor representing Ward No. 42. He was arrested by authorities from the Burrabazar Police Station on Wednesday, 4 June 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation.

According to police reports, Sharma was detained under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with official charges including criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, extortion, and criminal intimidation. While the specific details leading to his arrest have not been disclosed, the investigation continues.

Extortion Allegations Against Additional Councillor

In a related case, Sachin Singh, a councillor for Ward No. 36 in the Narkeldanga locality, faced arrest following numerous allegations of extortion and other misconduct. Complaints suggest that Singh has been soliciting payments from both parking operators and local businesses for an extended duration. He is also accused of demanding kickbacks related to various civic and development projects.

Additionally, Singh has faced claims of intimidation and assault, further compounding the serious nature of the allegations against him. These apprehensions have contributed to a visible tension surrounding TMC’s local governance structure, reflecting broader concerns regarding the party’s internal accountability.

The arrests of these councillors follow closely on the heels of another significant case involving Sudip Polley, the councillor for Ward No. 123 within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Polley was apprehended for reportedly extorting several lakh rupees. Notably, during his court appearance in Alipore, he encountered public backlash, as demonstrators reacted by hurling eggs and shoes in protest.

Internal Strife Within the TMC

Simultaneously, the TMC faces internal unrest, denoting a period of upheaval over a mere 13-day time frame. Tensions have surfaced within the party, marked by an unplanned meeting in Delhi, allegations of signature forgery, and increasing apprehension regarding the growing influence of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee. This internal discord is further complicated by a power struggle related to succession within the party.

The underlying tension reportedly initiated with an incidental encounter on 22 May between rebel MLA Ritabrata Banerjee and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Banga Bhavan. This initial meeting led to 60 MLAs, defying party norms, assuming control of its legislative wing and electing Ritabrata Banerjee as their leader. Furthermore, this faction managed to gain formal recognition from the Assembly Speaker.

The recent sequence of events indicates a critical moment in the political landscape of the TMC, a party founded by Mamata Banerjee on January 1, 1998, after her departure from Congress. This unfolding crisis showcases one of the most serious challenges the organisation has faced in its 28-year history, reflecting profound implications for its future direction.

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