From state ministers to senior leaders, the ruling BJP has criticised the former Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in Bengal over the alleged “liquor scam” and stated that all the culprits in the matter will be “held accountable”.
Image: IANS
Several leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have reacted strongly to the alleged liquor excise scam in West Bengal and criticised the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in the state.
The liquor policy in Bengal was altered in 2017, allegedly at the behest of Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee, enabling the state to monopolise liquor distribution. The new policy was designed in a way to twist the arms of erstwhile private wholesalers into paying levies to line Abhishek’s pockets to the tune of thousands of crores.
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As per the confidential report drawn up by the excise department – seen by The Statesman – all this carving up of state revenue was carried out in the name of “averting cartelisation, transparency, equitable access of liquor to all parts of the state and promotion of consumer choice.”
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Suvendhu Adhikari-led govt attacks TMC
Bengal Cabinet Minister Deepak Barman explained that earlier the process was such that liquor shop owners dealt directly with the companies supplying the products.
“However, I have heard that, subsequently, a company was created in the name of the Government of West Bengal, while the real force behind it was allegedly Abhishek Banerjee. The benefits and flexibility that shop owners previously enjoyed were gradually taken away from them. Earlier, shop owners were assigned specific quotas, but over time the system became increasingly burdensome. Such practices were highly unethical and placed considerable pressure on both the shop owners and the general public. There were also allegations that the police were instructed to conduct raids as part of this process,” he said.
Barman noted that the state government considers these matters to be “extremely serious.”
“Anyone found to be involved in wrongdoing will certainly be brought under the ambit of the law and held accountable. Not every issue necessarily requires intervention by central investigative agencies. We have full confidence in the capabilities of our state police, which is sufficiently competent to carry out a fair and effective investigation. If additional resources or support are required, the government will take appropriate steps,” the state minister noted.
He added, “There was a time when the Kolkata Police was compared to some of the finest police forces, including those in England. We are determined to restore that reputation and bring the Kolkata Police back to that standard once again.”
Reacting to The Statesman exclusive report, state minister Sumana Sarkar said, “There is hardly any corruption in which the Trinamool Congress has not been involved. For the past 15 years, West Bengal has been run through corruption. We have all seen what happened in the excise scam in Delhi, and I hope a similar investigation will be carried out here as well. There should be a proper investigation into the allegations against Abhishek Banerjee.”
Sarkar noted that they have “complete faith” in the state’s law enforcement agencies, including the police administration and the CID.
“Our Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, is in office, and I am confident that he will take appropriate action. In just one month, the people of Bengal have placed significant trust in this new government. If the Chief Minister feels it is necessary, he will certainly consider the involvement of central investigative agencies in the matter,” Sarkar added.
West Bengal Minister Gargi Das Ghosh, an MLA from Kandi, said the BJP’s vision and mission are both very clear.
“We have never tolerated corruption, and we will not tolerate it in the future. Many people have been involved in various forms of corruption related to the liquor trade and several other sectors. Our Chief Minister is taking strict action on all such matters,” Ghosh noted.
The state minister noted that the local administration and the police must be allowed to function independently, since they are “capable of uprooting the roots of corruption and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.”
“As per the Chief Minister’s directive, no temple or educational institution should be located within one kilometre of a legally licensed liquor shop. If any violations of this rule are found, our government will take appropriate action. If any citizen possesses credible evidence regarding corruption or irregularities, they should submit it to the proper authorities. The administration stands with the people and is always ready to act on genuine complaints,” Ghosh said.
The state minister added, “We want the police administration to demonstrate its efficiency and professionalism in handling these matters. If we find that the state agencies are unable to carry out a proper investigation or fail in their responsibilities, then we may consider the need for central investigative agencies in the future. However, our Chief Minister and our government are fully aware of the situation and are closely monitoring all developments.”
Another West Bengal Minister, Amiya Kisku (MLA from Nayagram), said, “In my opinion, society would be better off if this culture of alcohol consumption could be eliminated. However, that is not realistically possible. Whatever Abhishek Banerjee has allegedly been involved in over the years is something that our party will not tolerate under any circumstances. If the government feels that the involvement of central investigative agencies is necessary and recognises their importance in uncovering the truth, it will certainly take appropriate steps in that direction.”
BJP says culprits to be ‘held accountable’
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya has criticised the previous TMC government in Bengal and said the Excise department during Mamata Banerjee’s tenure altered the policy to extort money from bottlers one every crate of liquor.
“After the Delhi Liquor Excise scam, it is now Bengal’s turn. The Excise Department altered policy and bottlers were extorted on every crate of liquor and beer. The proceeds, amounting to thousands of crores, found their way to the TMC and Abhishek Banerjee,” he wrote on X.
After the Delhi Liquor Excise scam, it is now Bengal’s turn. The Excise Department altered policy and bottlers were extorted on every crate of liquor and beer. The proceeds, amounting to thousands of crores, found their way to the TMC and Abhishek Banerjee.https://t.co/xmxYRk7VVK
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) June 7, 2026
Khagen Murmu, BJP MP from Malda North, said that the former TMC government had put in place a system that ensured liquor outlets reached virtually every household.
“Over the past 15 years in West Bengal, people have faced violence, their rights have been taken away, and a culture of lawlessness prevailed. By promoting what can be described as a jungle raj, they made every effort to expand the reach of alcohol among the people, diverting them from sound judgment and constructive thinking,” he said.
He added, “Abhishek Banerjee, the second-in-command of the Trinamool Congress, may well have been the driving force behind many of these policies. As a result, the people of West Bengal have been deprived in numerous ways. Even before the elections, the BJP leadership made it absolutely clear that those responsible for corruption and wrongdoing would be brought to justice. No matter where they try to hide—even if they were to go underground—they would be tracked down and held accountable.”
The Great Bengal Liquor Loot: Excise Dept altered policy to siphon off thousands of crores to Abhishek Banerjee.. amazing how these Opp parties follow the same modus operandi in different states !!! https://t.co/8Th6SuMyP5
— Tuhin A. Sinha तुहिन सिन्हा (@tuhins) June 7, 2026
Meanwhile, BJP MP Rahul Sinha has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
“They (the Trinamool Congress) have engaged in corruption everywhere. This is not merely a liquor scam; it is a textbook example of how the Trinamool Congress allegedly institutionalised corruption through government policy. Corruption was carried out at every level, and every step appears to have been meticulously planned so that only one person in their party, Abhishek Banerjee, benefited from the system.”
He added, “Now, information about their deeply corrupt system and practices is emerging from all quarters. It is deeply disturbing and points to the systematic looting not only of West Bengal’s resources but also of the nation’s resources.”
Sinha assured people that legal proceedings and the law will take their own course.
“Every person responsible, regardless of position or influence, must be brought to justice. The people of Bengal have a right to know how this system operated and who profited from it. This state has been looted by the Trinamool Congress over the past decade and a half,” Sinha told The Statesman.
The Statesman has learned that the report has been tabled with West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, while Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari too has been briefed on the matter.
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