Archive · 6 Aug 2026

TMC-style 'tolabaji' extortion allegations haunt BJP-led Bengal government

TMC-style 'tolabaji' extortion allegations haunt BJP-led Bengal government

Some people in a place called West Bengal, in India, are upset because they say bad things are happening again.

Before, a political group called the Trinamool Congress was in charge, and people say its helpers used to force shop owners and builders to give them money.

That is called 'tolabaji,' which means extortion.

Now a different group, the BJP, is in charge and has promised to stop corruption.

But people say some BJP leaders and their friends are also asking for money and hurting people who refuse.

One builder was hit with the butt of a gun and left bleeding because he would not pay five lakh rupees.

The leader of the state, Suvendu Adhikari, set up special phone numbers so people can report these problems.

The BJP has also expelled or removed more than 150 of its own leaders because of these complaints.

The party says it is working hard to stop extortion completely.

But its own state president admits the job is not finished yet.

Sources