With the Calcutta High Court nullifying the 2016 appointment of over 23,000 teaching and non-teaching staff by the School Service Commission (SSC), West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) faces a formidable challenge. This decision, stemming from alleged irregularities in SSC examinations, has cast a shadow over the TMC’s governance amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The division bench’s observation about a flawed recruitment process on the TMC’s watch is more than a legal rebuke — it’s a political grenade. For over two years, SSC aspirants have been vocal in their protests, accusing the state government of corruption and mismanagement. The court’s ruling lends credence to their claims, potentially swaying public opinion against the TMC. Despite the turmoil, the TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, vehemently denies these allegations, dismissing them as politically motivated fabrications.
However, with the election campaign in full swing, these denials face the ultimate test — voter judgment. The real contest now is not just in the polling booths but in the minds of the electorate. If the TMC can navigate this crisis and reshape the narrative, they could emerge stronger, with Banerjee’s leadership reaffirmed. Conversely, failure to do so could hand the opposition, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a potent weapon to undermine the TMC’s credibility.
The BJP, seizing on the high court’s verdict, will undoubtedly attempt to paint the TMC as a party of disorder and dishonesty. The aftermath of this scandal provides them with ample ammunition to rally support and possibly tilt the electoral scales in their favour.
As the Lok Sabha election unfolds, the SSC recruitment scam looms large over the TMC. The party’s ability to counteract this negative perception will be crucial. Mamata Banerjee’s political acumen is on trial, and the outcome of this perception battle will significantly influence the electoral landscape of West Bengal. The TMC’s future — and Banerjee’s legacy — hangs in the balance.
ALSO READ | Will Sandeshkhali Really Do For BJP What Singur-Nandigram Did For TMC? The Answer Is No, As Of Now
Delving into the background of the case unveils a complex narrative. Initially, the SSC scam unfolded before a single-judge bench led by Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay. Interestingly, Justice Gangopadhyay has since resigned and aligned with the BJP, and is now contesting as the party’s Lok Sabha candidate from Tamluk. During his judicial tenure, he had ruled to annul the teachers’ jobs, a decision reinforced by the recent division bench verdict.
However, the government swiftly filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, leading to the formation of the division bench to reconsider the matter. The division bench delivered its verdict this week, adding another layer to this ongoing saga.
The legal proceedings have not been devoid of political implications. The arrest of Partha Chatterjee, TMC secretary-general and former West Bengal minister, highlights the entanglement of legal and political spheres in the case.
Furthermore, allegations about the involvement of top TMC officials and bureaucrats, detained by central agencies in connection with this scandal, underscore the gravity of the situation. These events have raised questions about the integrity of administrative processes under the TMC government.
The implications of this ruling extend beyond legalities, penetrating deep into the political fabric of West Bengal. The TMC, under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, faces not only legal hurdles but also challenges in public perception and trust. The intertwining of judiciary and politics, exemplified by Justice Gangopadhyay’s transition to the political arena, further complicates the scenario.
With the timing of these developments coinciding with the elections, the political ramifications of this case are palpable.
ALSO READ | NRC To UCC & Olympics: How BJP Is Trying To Balance Ideology & Pragmatism In 2024 Poll Manifesto
In the tumultuous arena of West Bengal politics, the Calcutta High Court’s verdict on the SSC recruitment scam has dealt a significant blow to CM Mamata Banerjee and the TMC. Banerjee’s steadfast denial of any wrongdoing, attributing the allegations to a conspiracy by the BJP, CPIM, and a section of the judiciary, now faces a stern test. The court’s declaration of “massive irregularities” not only undermines her claims but also shifts the electoral narrative in favour of her opponents.
Banerjee’s characterisation of the verdict as unconstitutional is a bold stance, yet it does little to assuage the concerns of thousands of job aspirants and their families, whose futures hang in the balance. The ruling breathes life into the protests, fueling a fire that the TMC has long attempted to extinguish. Politically, Banerjee finds herself in a Catch-22: defending her party’s integrity while confronting the frustration of her constituents.
Until now, Banerjee had adeptly steered the election discourse, focusing on the central government’s “failures” and the BJP’s divisive politics. However, the high court’s decision redirects the spotlight onto the TMC’s alleged misdeeds. As the Lok Sabha elections proceed, the TMC’s narrative control appears to be slipping, and the BJP gaining ground with the opportunity it now has to leverage the scandal to erode Banerjee’s stronghold.
This shift could prove pivotal, potentially reshaping West Bengal’s political landscape and testing Banerjee’s resilience as a leader. The TMC’s response to this crisis will be critical in determining whether they can regain the narrative, or will succumb to the Opposition’s onslaught.
ALSO READ | Why CAA Could Backfire For BJP In Bengal — It Exposes A Disconnect And Undermines Local Strategies
The Calcutta High Court ruling, undoubtedly, is a morale booster for the BJP and the Left-Congress alliance. It’s a testament to the Left’s persistent legal battles on behalf of job aspirants who, despite meritorious performance, remained unemployed.
As election battles loom, the Left and Congress face an existential crisis in the state. This verdict presents them with an opportunity to mobilise voters and mount a significant challenge against the Trinamool Congress. However, time constraints and doubts about the Left-Congress’s organisational prowess to rally the masses pose a formidable challenge.
The BJP stands to gain the most from this situation. Their strategic focus on West Bengal has been evident, with top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, intensifying their campaign against Mamata Banerjee. The Sandeshkhali incident, which saw thousands protest against the TMC’s alleged misconduct, had been the focal point. Now, the BJP aims to leverage the SSC scam to consolidate support, creating a predicament for Banerjee.
In this high-stakes political game, the verdict is more than a legal judgment — it’s a catalyst that could redefine West Bengal’s political allegiances. The BJP’s calculated moves and the Left-Congress’s desperate bid for relevance will determine the future of the state’s governance. The clock is ticking, and the power play is in full swing.
ALSO READ | Sandeshkhali, Turncoats, Left-Congress Alliance: 6 Questions Driving The 2024 Lok Sabha Battle In West Bengal
In the wake of the SSC scam verdict, West Bengal’s political theatre is witnessing a high-stakes drama. Mamata Banerjee, known for her political shrewdness, has taken an emotional stance, framing the judicial decision as an assault on innocent families by the judiciary and the Opposition. The TMC is gearing up to assure the public of their commitment to justice.
Amid the chaos, it’s evident that, among those who lost their jobs due to the verdict, there are deserving candidates caught in the crossfire. The judiciary’s inability to sift the eligible from the ineligible has led to a blanket ruling, prompting the SSC to file an appeal in the Supreme Court.
In a highly charged election season, the pivotal question is whether the BJP can capitalise on this verdict to paint the Mamata Banerjee government as corrupt. Conversely, the TMC is poised to evoke sympathy by portraying the BJP and Left as the villains who have upended the lives of employees who served for years, only to be told to repay their salaries with interest.
The electoral dividends hinge on who triumphs in this perception battle.
In this intricate game of political chess, every move is calculated, and the outcome will shape the future of West Bengal’s governance. The SSC scam order is not just a legal judgment; it’s a catalyst for a broader ideological war where perception is king, and the victor takes all.
The author teaches journalism at St Xavier’s College (autonomous), Kolkata, and is a political columnist.
[Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP News Network Pvt Ltd.]
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Rami G Khouri
Mort Laitner
Donald Low
Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Nikkei Editorial
visit website
