BJP shares video claiming TMC leader hid under bed amid cut-money allegations

A video circulating on social media has drawn attention to an incident in Cooch Behar district’s Mathabhanga area, where a local TMC leader was allegedly confronted by residents over claims that money had been collected from beneficiaries of government housing schemes. The footage was shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya, who alleged that the incident was linked to the issue of “cut money” collected from beneficiaries.

According to the allegations, local residents surrounded the residence of TMC leader Shahidul Miya and accused him of collecting between ₹5,000 and ₹20,000 from people seeking benefits under government housing schemes. Malviya claimed that the leader attempted to avoid the crowd by hiding inside his residence and that police later intervened. The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.

The incident comes amid increasing demands in parts of Mathabhanga for the return of money allegedly collected from beneficiaries during the previous TMC administration. Reports indicate that several residents in the area have recently received refunds from individuals accused of collecting such payments. The issue has generated public attention in multiple localities where similar allegations have surfaced.

The district TMC leadership stated that the party has no connection with any illegal collection of money from villagers or traders. Similar incidents have been reported in other areas, including Namkhana in South 24 Parganas district, where a panchayat member reportedly returned ₹5,000 each to 45 villagers following complaints related to money allegedly collected in connection with government scheme benefits.