Did a Video Capture a Cop Distributing Sarees from CM?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- A viral video raises questions about police conduct in West Bengal.
- Political implications could affect upcoming elections.
- The officer's behavior highlights potential political bias within law enforcement.
- Opposition leaders are vocal about police actions in the context of electioneering.
- Residents are aware of the political motives behind such gestures.
Kolkata, Sep 25 (NationPress) A video has gained traction on social media on Thursday, allegedly depicting a senior police official handing out sarees to local women in a neighborhood in South Kolkata. These sarees are said to be gifts from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
In the video, the officer, reportedly an Assistant Commissioner of Police, was heard referring to the Chief Minister as “Didi (elder sister)”.
“These are all gifts from Didi,” the officer stated in the footage. However, IANS could not verify the authenticity of the video.
The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, tweeted the video from his official X account, questioning how an Assistant Commissioner could engage in distributing sarees gifted by the Chief Minister, neglecting his duties and dignity as an officer. He identified the police officer as ACP Santanu Sinha Biswas.
Adhikari claimed that without police in West Bengal, the ruling party would not exist. “I have made this statement before. I’m sharing this video again as proof,” he remarked.
The LoP asserted in the video that the officer was seen distributing sarees to women of Ward No. 73 in Bhabanipur, at the Swaraj Sangha Club on Madan Pal Lane. This area falls under the jurisdiction of the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata, where the Chief Minister serves as the legislator.
“Moreover, he was even stating that ‘Didi has given it.’ Is this appropriate behavior for an ACP?” Adhikari questioned.
“No wonder I refer to the police as Mamata Police! In this state, the police have effectively transformed into Trinamool supporters, and now the onus of keeping the Trinamool in power lies more with these police leaders than with the party’s leaders because if the government changes, they will face the repercussions of their actions,” Adhikari further claimed.
However, he added that residents of Bhabanipur are aware that this is not genuine social service; rather, it’s electioneering. “But no matter how much fabric is purchased with your ill-gotten gains, Mamata Banerjee will face defeat in Bhabanipur. In 2026, Bhabanipur is set to become Nandigram 2.0,” stated Adhikari in his post.
To recall, during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Chief Minister contested from Nandigram in East Midnapore district and lost to Adhikari by a margin of just under 2,000 votes.
She later ran in the by-elections from Bhabanipur, won, and secured her third consecutive term as Chief Minister.