The ongoing crackdown on leaders and workers associated with the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has continued in West Bengal following the recent political transition in the state, with another local TMC leader now arrested over multiple allegations, including intimidation, fraud, and attempts to influence voters ahead of the Assembly elections.
According to police sources, Sheikh Wasul, who served as president of a TMC labour union unit in the Durgapur-Faridpur region, was arrested during a late-night raid conducted by police on Thursday.
Officials stated that the operation was carried out by the Durgapur-Faridpur Police in the Laudoha area under Durgapur-Faridpur Block.
Police sources alleged that Sheikh Wasul had collected large amounts of money from local residents by falsely promising to arrange jobs for them. Authorities further claimed that he attempted to establish dominance in the locality through intimidation and by creating an atmosphere of fear among residents.
Investigators also alleged that Wasul attempted to pressure and influence voters ahead of the recent Assembly elections, resulting in rising tensions in the area.
According to sources, several local residents had reportedly filed complaints against him with the police even before the elections. Officials claimed that multiple allegations against Wasul had existed for a considerable period before his arrest.
While being taken away by the police, Sheikh Wasul denied all allegations against him and maintained his innocence. Speaking briefly to reporters, he stated that he had worked for the party for 15 years and claimed that no complaints had previously been made against him.
Wasul, a resident of Rangamati in the Durgapur-Faridpur region, was later produced before the Durgapur Sub-Divisional Court on Friday morning.
The arrest comes amid a broader series of actions against TMC-linked leaders and functionaries following the rise of the BJP-led government under Suvendu Adhikari.
Since the political transition in West Bengal, several investigations and enforcement actions targeting former TMC leaders and officials have intensified across the state.
One of the most high-profile developments occurred earlier this week with the arrest of former West Bengal minister Sujit Bose by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged municipal recruitment scam.
According to ED sources, Sujit Bose was accused of recommending approximately 150 candidates for different positions under the South Dum Dum Municipality in exchange for monetary benefits.
The agency further alleged that it traced proceeds of crime linked to the case in the form of flats and properties that Bose allegedly acquired while helping individuals secure municipal jobs.
Investigators also claimed that large cash deposits were detected in bank accounts associated with the former minister.
Sujit Bose, who lost the Bidhannagar Assembly seat in the 2026 state elections, was arrested shortly after appearing before the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in the matter.
The latest arrest of Sheikh Wasul is therefore being viewed as part of a much wider post-election crackdown targeting TMC leaders, labour union figures and political functionaries across West Bengal as investigations into corruption, intimidation and alleged electoral misconduct continue to expand under the new administration.
