The attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during a raid in West Bengal on Friday, has put the spotlight firmly on Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh, who is alleged to be the mastermind behind the assault.
The ED officials were conducting a raid at Sheikh's residence, as part of a probe into a ration distribution scam, when his supporters became violent, assaulting the officials and damaging their vehicles.
The incident drew widespread criticism from the opposition parties in the state, but the ruling TMC refuted the charges and accused the ED officials of inciting the locals. While the BJP termed the attack as "a direct assault on the federal structure", the Congress demanded President's Rule. Governor CV Ananda Bose stressed that the state government's duty is to quell "barbarism, and emphasised that West Bengal is not a “banana republic”.
Who is Shahjahan Sheikh?
Popularly known as "Bhai", the 42-year-old Sheikh, who started as a small-time worker in the fisheries of the Sandeshkhali block in North 24 Parganas near the Bangladesh border, rose to become the uncrowned king of the state's fisheries belt.
The eldest of four siblings, Sheikh began as a worker in fisheries and brick kilns in Sandeshkhali. In 2004, he entered politics as a union leader in brick kilns. He later joined the local CPI(M) unit, maintaining his presence despite the changing political landscape in West Bengal.
Known for fiery speeches and organisational skills, Sheikh caught the attention of TMC leadership in 2012.
Under the stewardship of the then TMC national general secretary Mukul Roy and North 24 Parganas TMC district president Jyotipriyo Mullick, he joined the party and quickly ascended in power, becoming a close associate of Mullick.
Since then, his trajectory in the corridors of power has been unstoppable, raising eyebrows.
In 2018, Sheikh gained prominence as the deputy head of the Sarberia Agarhati gram panchayat.
Currently serving as the president of the Sandeshkhali TMC unit, his political trajectory peaked when he secured a zilla parishad seat last year.
Sheikh, known as 'Matsa Karmadhakshya' (In-charge of fisheries) for North 24 Parganas, oversees the district's fishery development, reflecting his influential standing in both political and economic spheres.
In addition to his political roles, Sheikh is a go-to figure for conflict resolution in the area, mediating family disputes and land disagreements.
His younger brothers are active TMC workers managing his business, including land dealings.
According to leaders from the local TMC and opposition, Sheikh commands both respect and fear in the region. "To some, he is a messiah; to his detractors, he is a terror. He carries a Robin Hood image in the area," said a local TMC leader.
Despite involvement in criminal cases, he has played a key role in curbing child trafficking, earning recognition for his efforts in making Sarberia Agarhati gram panchayat a 'Child-Friendly Gram Panchayat' in 2019.
In the aftermath of the violent clashes between BJP and TMC workers in Sandeshkhali post-Lok Sabha polls in June 2019, resulting in deaths on both sides, Sheikh found himself implicated in a murder FIR filed in connection with the incident.
The current events highlight the complex interplay of power, politics, and controversies associated with Sheikh's role in the fisheries belt of West Bengal.
(With PTI inputs)