Former Bengal Minister and TMC Leader Ujjwal Biswas Passes Away at Kolkata

Former West Bengal minister and veteran Trinamool Congress leader Ujjwal Biswas passed away in Kolkata. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party for his death, alleging that he was a victim of political revenge and pressure to switch parties.

Reactions and Allegations

Banerjee stated that Biswas was kept in jail for 49 days in false cases and faced continuous threats and mental torture because he refused to change his political side. She added that he was brutally attacked a few months ago and suffered severe physical and mental distress. State BJP spokesperson Debajit Sarkar hit back against the allegations, stating that Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee are responsible for the legal actions faced by individuals due to past actions under their administration.

Background and Legal Trouble

Biswas was a three-time MLA from Krishnanagar South and a former minister belonging to a freedom fighter family. He remained with Mamata Banerjee even after political changes in the state led to his electoral defeat. He faced arrest following allegations regarding relief materials stored at his home, though his family maintained the items were legitimately received under his quota as a legislator for distribution during emergencies. After securing bail in the first case, he faced arrest in another matter, leading to a decline in his health that required hospitalisation during the festive season, where he was visited by Mahua Moitra.

Context

Political tensions surrounding legal actions against opposition figures often spark sharp exchanges between ruling and opposition parties in West Bengal. Trinamool Congress leaders frequently accuse central agencies and political rivals of targeting their members through false cases, while opposition groups maintain that legal proceedings are independent responses to corruption and past wrongdoings.