Coming hot on the heels of the CBI’s investigation into the multi-crore rupees Sarada chit fund scam in which several TMC leaders have been arrested, the latest visual exposure was perfectly timed to torpedo the TMC’s campaign. Even the loudest supporters of the TMC in Kolkata appeared/deflated, as did the Lok Sabha MPs facing a stinging attack from CPI(M) MP Mohammad Salim in the Lok Sabha.

Worse, even Ms Mamata Banerjee, a highly resourceful and imaginative campaigner, currently touring North Bengal, could not think of putting up any better defence than denouncing the exposure as “a conspiracy launched by the Congress, the CPI(M) and the BJP”. TMC MPs and Bengal leaders dutifully parroted her line by way of a stale political response. Most people broadly supported the view taken by the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, when he said that the matter was too serious to be dismissed as “a conspiracy” and must be probed either by the house or the government.

If Ms Banerjee’s one-line explanation of what really happened did not win much credence, nor did the words of Narada News chief Mr. Mathew Samuel. He had earlier worked for the Tehelka. Asked about the timing of his “scoop”, he said his team had been working on it from 2014, as details of the Sarada chit fund scam went viral. They had footage on the TMC leaders to the tune of 52 hours and their efforts ended only earlier this year. It had nothing to do with the coming elections, he added, without much apparent conviction. The hint of the barely concealed threat that there could be more exposures to follow, was not missed by anyone.

Naturally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the LF and the Cong(I) came out with all guns blazing against the TMC, in Kolkata and in both Houses of Parliament in Delhi.

Remarkably, there was little apparent support for the beleaguered TMC in the Lok Sabha. In Kolkata and the districts, too, Tuesday (March15) clearly belonged to the opposition, as they took out spontaneous rallies and raised strong anti-TMC slogans, pressing for the instant dismissal of the Chief Minister Ms Banerjee and the arrest of the leaders shown to be accepting bribes. The state BJP led by central party leader Mr. Vijay Bargee, briefly scuffled with the police as supporters marched to the Raj Bhavan to meet the state Governor along with a CD of the telltale videos.

The police claimed that no permission had been taken and tried to scatter the demonstrators with a half-hearted lathi charge. Observers put down their apparent reluctance to use the heavy hand, as has been done with most demonstrations launched by the opposition parties in West Bengal in the past, to the presence of the Central Election Commission Chief Mr Zaidi and his officials in the city. They were meeting senior District officials, the Chief Secretary and the Home Secretary, to discuss arrangements made to ensure free and fair polling so far.

On behalf of the LF, Dr Suryakanta Mishra demanded the imposition of the President’s rule if necessary, to help an immediate official probe into the recent exposure of rampant corruption at the highest levels of the TMC. For the BJP, Mr Siddharth Nath Singh pressed for the immediate resignation of the Chief Minister. He said that copies of the video would be submitted to the Election Commission and the CBI, to ensure that an immediate inquiry began. Mr Adhir Choudhury, state Congress president, said that the true nature of the TMC — a party of dishonest, utterly corrupt, greedy bunch of scamsters — had been exposed. All were united in demanding the highest exemplary punishment for the leaders involved, quoting past precedents in the Lok Sabha.

TMC hardliners in Kolkata however, continued to put up a brave face. The Sarada chitfund scam had not hurt them, they said, adding “This too will pass”.

Kolkata-based analysts have been intrigued by three aspects of the present situation. First, the nonchalant body language of TMC leaders, some of whom discussed amounts and mode of payment — one person wanted his payment in dollars in the video, although he later claimed it was a “conspiracy” — suggested that they were not unfamiliar with such situations;

Second, their apparent willingness even to accept relatively small amounts like Rs 4 or Rs 5 lakh only, while putting their integrity on the line. Only a State Minister cribbed about the amount being “too small”.

Third, the poor defence put up at a press conference by TMC General Secretary Partha Chatterjee and Mr. Mukul Roy (to whom the sting operators offered the highest sum, incidentally). They expressed their indignation at “the timing of the exposure” but spoke of launching “legal action” none too strongly.

Mr. Roy had earlier initiated a defamation case against former CPI(M) PWD Minister Gautam Deb who had directly accused him of financial corruption during the 2011 polls. The matter is yet to be heard. Reason? Despite dates of hearing set on a dozen occasions, Mr. Roy officially the aggrieved party, never turned up in court!

Observers also find it remarkable that it has taken the ruling TMC only five years to become politically isolated at the centre and in the state. This is exactly what had happened to the LF in 2011, when it lost so comprehensively to the TMC. The entire political spectrum barring the Left, from the right wing BJP to the Maoists, the centrist parties, Muslims, the media and the civil society — everyone had rallied behind the TMC and its leader, Mamata Banerjee. The wheel seems to have come a full circle. (IPA Service)