Criminal Politics in Bengal: A Dangerous Nexus

Key Takeaways: How Criminal Politics Changed Bengal

• Criminal elements in politics are not new. Bengal has experienced political patronage of muscle power across different political eras.
• The 1960s and 1970s witnessed political instability, revolutionary violence, electoral intimidation and controversial police action.
• During the Left Front era, local strongmen and militant political networks became part of the political machinery, often operating under party leadership.
• After 2011, questions about political interference in policing and the growing influence of local strongmen became increasingly prominent.
• The 2026 ADR figures show that candidates with declared criminal cases are present across major political parties. This is not a problem confined to one party.
• The change of government does not automatically change political culture. Changing party colours cannot erase allegations or past conduct.
• The real democratic challenge is to prevent criminal elements from controlling political leadership, administration and lawmaking.

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