Poll-Bound WB: BJP MLA Ashok Dinda’s Associate Detained with Cash and Gold

The arrest of Sandip Manna, an important person related to BJP MLA and ex-cricket player Ashok Dinda, has set off another political controversy in West Bengal. In the thick of the 2026 Assembly election campaign, Manna, who owns Bijli Jewellers, was stopped by the police in what is known as naka check near the Anantapur Girls High School. During the search of his car, an amount of ₹17 lakh in cash and 105 grams of gold were found, raising allegations of improper use of money for electoral gain.

Election Surveillance and the Arrest:
The seizure was part of the heightened monitoring by the Election Commission at several key locations in the region. Given that the model code of conduct was already in effect, checkpoints had been set up to monitor the flow of unlawful money and valuables. After getting intercepted by officials, Manna is said to be unable to produce any satisfactory proof regarding the large amount of cash and bullion he was carrying around. In response, the police arrested Manna on suspicion of having money meant to support his business transactions or to distribute during elections. The development has raised alarm in the Moyna constituency where Ashok Dinda is the current representative.

Consequences for Politics and Accusations:
It is clear that the event was a gift for the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Immediately after this incident, accusations were raised against the BJP that it tried to “buy votes” in West Bengal. In their opinion, all this is evidence of the existence of some conspiracy for circumventing democratic procedures using money. As can be expected, representatives of the BJP and people close to Ashok Dinda accused the opposite party of politicizing the event. In particular, as is known, Manna, as a well-known jeweler, often has cash and gold stocks because of his job.
As the investigation progresses, the Election Commission demands a detailed report from the district magistrate. It will play a decisive role since on its basis, there may be introduced more strict controls regarding the candidates’ companions. At the moment, however, the case with “cash and gold” is one of the main points in the current political life of West Bengal.