Record ₹1,000 crore-plus seizures in Tamil Nadu, Bengal ahead of polls

In a major crackdown ahead of the Assembly elections, authorities have seized over ₹1,000 crore worth of alleged poll inducements across Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, according to official data.

Figures released by the Election Commission of India show total seizures have crossed ₹1,072 crore since the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. Tamil Nadu accounts for ₹599.24 crore, while West Bengal has recorded ₹472.89 crore so far.

The seizures include unaccounted cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and other items suspected to be used to influence voters. Officials said the numbers could rise further, particularly in West Bengal where multiple phases of polling are still underway.

A closer look at the data shows distinct patterns in the two states. In West Bengal, authorities have seized liquor worth over ₹102 crore and drugs valued at more than ₹108 crore, along with a large quantity of other inducements.

Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, has reported relatively low liquor seizures but significantly higher recoveries of precious metals and freebies.

To intensify monitoring, the Election Commission has deployed thousands of enforcement teams, including over 5,000 Flying Squad Teams and more than 5,300 Static Surveillance Teams across both states. These teams are tasked with responding to complaints quickly and conducting surprise checks at key locations.

The scale of the current enforcement drive marks a sharp increase compared to previous elections. In West Bengal, seizures have already surpassed the ₹339 crore recorded during the 2021 Assembly elections and ₹450 crore during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Tamil Nadu has also exceeded its previous records, with current figures crossing both the 2021 Assembly and 2024 general election tallies.

The massive seizures underline the Election Commission’s intensified efforts to curb the use of money and inducements in elections, as polling continues in one of the most closely watched electoral cycles in the country.