PostPollViolence – Former Bengal Minister Udayan Guha Arrested in Kolkata
PostPollViolence – Former West Bengal minister Udayan Guha was taken into custody by police on Wednesday from his residence in the Phoolbagan area of Kolkata. Authorities have not yet publicly detailed the specific sections under which the arrest was made, though officials confirmed that investigations involving the former minister had been ongoing for some time.
Arrest Linked to Earlier Violence Cases
According to sources familiar with the matter, Guha’s arrest is believed to be connected to allegations surrounding incidents of violence that occurred after the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. The unrest was reported from several districts following the declaration of results that returned the Trinamool Congress government to power for a third consecutive term under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Investigators are examining complaints and cases registered in connection with the post-election disturbances, particularly in Cooch Behar district, which is Guha’s political stronghold. Sources within the state police indicated that his name had figured in some of those investigations, leading to the latest action.
Third Former Minister Arrested Since Government Change
Guha has become the third minister from the previous Mamata Banerjee cabinet to face arrest since the Bharatiya Janata Party government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari assumed office on May 9.
The first arrest involved former Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose, who was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate last month in connection with an alleged municipalities recruitment case. Investigators are examining claims of irregularities linked to appointments in civic bodies.
Subsequently, former Correctional Services Minister Ujjal Biswas was arrested on June 9. Authorities accused him of illegally storing government relief materials, allegations that became the basis for legal proceedings against him.
With Wednesday’s development, Guha joins the list of former cabinet members facing investigations and legal scrutiny under the new administration.
Long Political Background in North Bengal
Udayan Guha has remained a prominent political figure in North Bengal for several years. He is the son of the late Kamal Guha, a veteran leader of the All India Forward Bloc and a senior member of the Left Front government in West Bengal for more than two decades.
Beginning his political journey with the Forward Bloc, Udayan Guha first entered the West Bengal Legislative Assembly after winning the Dinhata seat in Cooch Behar district during the 2011 elections.
Shift to Trinamool Congress
Ahead of the 2016 Assembly elections, Guha left the Forward Bloc and joined the Trinamool Congress. He successfully retained the Dinhata constituency under the Trinamool banner and continued to represent the seat in the Assembly.
Over the years, he emerged as one of the key political leaders from the region and later served in the state cabinet, handling the North Bengal Development Department in the Mamata Banerjee government.
Electoral Defeat Before Latest Developments
Guha’s tenure as the Dinhata legislator came to an end following the recently concluded Assembly elections. In the contest, he was defeated by BJP candidate Ajay Ray, who secured victory by a margin of more than 17,000 votes.
His arrest now marks another significant development in the evolving political and legal landscape of West Bengal, where investigations involving former government officials continue to attract public and political attention.