For years, truck drivers transporting goods into West Bengal from neighbouring states complained about one recurring problem on Bengal’s highways: the so-called “Bhaipo Tax”. The word “Bhaipo”, meaning nephew in Bengali, was politically used by opposition parties as a reference to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Truck operators and drivers alleged that during the Trinamool Congress rule, unofficial collections, roadside extortion, illegal checkpoints and bamboo barricades became a regular feature across several entry routes into Bengal.

Drivers travelling through the Jharkhand-West Bengal border routes claimed that highways frequently had unauthorised “nakas” where commercial vehicles were allegedly forced to stop and pay money. According to many transport workers, refusing to pay often resulted in harassment, intimidation and damage to vehicles. Some drivers alleged that tyres were punctured deliberately, mirrors were smashed and vehicles were held up for hours until payment was made. These delays reportedly caused severe financial losses, especially for transporters carrying vegetables, fish and other perishable goods that needed to reach markets quickly.

Truck operators further alleged that two separate unofficial collection systems operated widely across parts of Bengal during that period: the so-called “Bhaipo tax” and “danda tax”. Federation of Truck Operators Association in Bengal general secretary Sajal Ghosh openly spoke about the issue and said, “Two types of unofficial levies were common in Bengal, Bhaipo tax and danda tax. Bhaipo tax has vanished. We want danda tax wiped out completely too.” His statement reflected a long-standing frustration among transporters who claimed such illegal collections had become deeply embedded in highway movement across the state.

Truck drivers operating through districts such as Paschim Bardhaman and Purulia described how roads were allegedly lined with bamboo barricades and illegal roadside collection points. Drivers said these barricades appeared every few kilometres, forcing commercial vehicles to slow down or stop completely. One truck driver, identified as Ramesh, described the situation while speaking near Tulin in Purulia. He said, “Every few kilometres, bamboo barricades blocked the road. Ask for a receipt, and they turn hostile. Refuse payment, and they smash mirrors or puncture tyres.” Another truck driver alleged that refusing payment often led to prolonged harassment. He said, “If you refused, they stopped and harassed you for hours till you paid. That has stopped.” According to several drivers, the situation began changing after the BJP government assumed power in West Bengal on May 9 and reportedly initiated action against illegal extortion checkpoints.

Amit Shah Turned ‘Bhaipo Tax’ Into a Major Election Issue

The issue later evolved into one of the most discussed political talking points during the West Bengal Assembly election campaign. Senior BJP leaders repeatedly accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of allowing corruption, extortion and syndicate-based control to flourish across the state. Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly attacked the TMC government over allegations connected to the alleged syndicate network and illegal collections from traders and transporters.

During a public rally in December last year, Shah indirectly referred to Abhishek Banerjee while criticising the system. Without taking his name directly, Shah remarked that under the existing structure, “only Bhaipo has the right to make money, not the common man.” The statement quickly became one of the BJP’s most repeated campaign lines in Bengal.

Shah also accused the Mamata Banerjee government of weakening governance through corruption and extortion. He stated, “Due to corruption under the Mamata Banerjee-led government in the state, development in West Bengal has stopped.” He further targeted what the BJP described as the “syndicate system” operating in the state. According to Shah, “After the Bharatiya Janata Party government is formed, no trader will have to pay any Bhaipo tax. We will completely end the syndicate system. The politicisation of administration and criminalisation of politics has become like a deep wound.”

The BJP leader also alleged that several welfare schemes launched by the central government suffered because of Bengal’s alleged “toll syndicate” system. Raising the political temperature further, Shah declared, “Fear and corruption have become West Bengal’s identity for the last 14 years.” The statement was repeatedly highlighted by BJP leaders throughout the campaign period as they attempted to position themselves as an alternative to the TMC government.

In April this year, while addressing a public gathering in Balagarh village in Hooghly district, Shah again brought up the same issue before voters. Repeating the BJP’s election promise, he stated, ‘Bengalis have to pay “Bhaipo Tax” to the TMC’s syndicate. Bid farewell to the Mamata government with Tata-Bye-Bye, and we will take care of straightening out the syndicate people.’ The speech became part of the BJP’s broader narrative that Bengal’s transport and trade networks had allegedly become trapped under illegal extortion systems.

Himanta Biswa Sarma Also Raised Questions Over ‘Abhishek Tax’

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also publicly raised similar allegations during the Bengal election campaign. In a video shared by India Today NE, Sarma claimed that truck drivers travelling between Assam and Bengal frequently complained about paying what they referred to as “Abhishek Tax”.

Speaking in Hindi during a public address, Sarma said, “When trucks travel between Assam and Bengal, I often ask truck drivers why prices are increasing. People tell me that in Siliguri, they have to pay something called ‘Abhishek Tax’ on every truck. I don’t know who Abhishek is, but they say they have to pay while entering and while returning, too.”

He further alleged that the system had expanded beyond coal transportation and had started affecting nearly every category of goods transport. Sarma claimed, “Earlier, this was taken only from coal trucks, but later it has expanded to every truck. Thousands of rupees are taken from every truck owner. If this tax ends, prices in Assam and across the Northeast may also come down.” His remarks linked the alleged highway collections to rising transportation costs and inflation in neighbouring northeastern states.

BJP Government Claims Crackdown Has Changed Highway Conditions

Following the political transition in West Bengal and the swearing-in of the BJP government under the leadership of Suvendu Adhikari on May 9, the newly formed administration reportedly began a crackdown on illegal highway collection systems. According to a report published by The Times of India, the new government instructed district magistrates to dismantle alleged “extortion nakas” and ensure that such collection points did not reappear.

Truck operators claimed the impact of the crackdown became visible within weeks, particularly along NH-2 and adjoining state highways. Drivers and transporters alleged that bamboo barricades and roadside collection points that were once common had largely disappeared after the government intervention. Several transport workers moving goods between Jharkhand, Bengal, the Northeast and Bangladesh stated that highway movement had become significantly smoother and faster compared to previous years.

The development carries major economic significance because nearly 50,000 trucks reportedly move through West Bengal every day, making the state one of eastern India’s most crucial logistics and transport corridors. Any disruption on these highways directly impacts supply chains, food transportation and commercial trade across eastern and northeastern India.

Drivers operating near the Jharkhand-Bengal border claimed traffic movement had improved substantially after the crackdown. According to transporters, fewer stoppages and the removal of illegal barricades have reduced travel delays and improved delivery timelines. Supporters of the BJP government now argue that the administration has fulfilled one of its major election promises by taking action against alleged bribery and extortion involving truck drivers on Bengal’s highways.