Ensuring votes in particular constituencies with the help of local strongmen is perhaps not peculiar to West Bengal, but it cannot be denied that this practice has long existed in the state. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is today a vocal critic of the Trinamool Congress’s patronage of these strongmen, but the tradition became most marked during the CPI(M)’s rule. In fact, Tajemul Islam, the strongman of Chopra allegedly patronised by the local member of the legislative assembly, started his career under the CPI(M) umbrella. But this is not to underplay the role of the TMC in allowing him a free hand in ‘controlling’ the area in spite of the fact that he has numerous cases lodged against him, including one alleging his involvement in murder. Not content with the fear he apparently instilled in the matter of votes, Mr Islam also held kangaroo courts. Now a video showing someone like Mr Islam beating up a couple apparently because the woman was conducting an extramarital relationship has proven to be the reason for his exposure.

This is more than an embarrassment for the state government after the Lok Sabha election results indicated that urban voters were not happy with the TMC. The Chopra incident comes soon after Sheikh Shahjahan, the strongman of Sandeshkhali, was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation. These local leaders have brought votes for the party while establishing their own power; figures such as Arabul Islam and Anubrata Mondal, either out on bail or in prison, cannot have added to the party’s goodwill. Yet just after the Chopra revelations, a mother and son were severely beaten up by a mob in Ariadaha, with accusations levelled at another TMC strongman. The chief minister’s rebukes to the police and administrators may send the right message to MLAs, bureaucrats, panchayat members and party followers, but habits of coercion and bullying take a long time to change and local dadas may be loath to surrender their power. The police have been instructed to be especially vigilant in cases of mob violence. That is a welcome step. The interlacing of power conduits down the line is not easy to disentangle though, neither can criminality be smoothly separated from politics. But the chief minister’s directions matter: some change for the better may be hoped for.