Split in Congress on Bengal crisis, state party president hits out at Mamata

After the latest mayhem of Mamata Banerjee against CBI in Bengal, there is a split among leaders of the Congress party on whose side to take. While Congress President Rahul Gandhi has extended his support to Mamata’s whims, Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary, prominent Congress leader and state party president, has attacked Mamata Banerjee for instigating the constitutional crisis. 

Yesterday, in a tweet, Congress President stated, “I spoke with Mamata Di tonight and told her we stand shoulder to shoulder with her. The happenings in Bengal are a part of the unrelenting attack on India’s institutions by Mr. Modi & the BJP. The entire opposition will stand together & defeat these fascist forces.”

However, Congress state party president Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary has hit out at Mamata for the ongoing crisis in Bengal. He told the media that CBI is only doing its job and following the process of the law. “It is the responsibility of the CBI to complete the investigation and the culprits should be booked and the money of the people looted be returned. CBI went to question the Police Commissioner, it did not go to any politician’s house. He is not from the Congress or TMC, CBI is only following the process of the law”, he said.

Chaudhary further hit out at Mamata and charged her for shielding a suspect in order to escape from the clutches of the law. He said, “Why is Mamata Bannerjee protecting a police officer? This goes on to show that the police are working for Mamata Bannerjee. Top leaders from the ruling party are involved in the ‘Chit Fund Scam’. Why is Mamata Bannerjee sitting in Dharna for a police officer? This is nothing but Nautanki.”

The whole incident started when the CBI intended to question Kolkata Police Commissioner, Rajeev Kumar in connection with the Saradha chit fund cases in which several TMC leaders are said to have been involved. As per a CBI official, its move to question Rajeev Kumar is aimed at finding “crucial evidence” linked to the “larger conspiracy” behind the chit fund scams in the state. He has to be questioned about the missing documents and files but he was not responding to notices to appear before the CBI. However, the West Bengal Chief Minister has started creating hurdles in the path of the premier probe agency instead of being co-operative with it.

Mamata dragged the CBI in her political blame game and claimed that the Kolkata Police Commissioner was not absconding. However, Mamata did not stop here as she not only defended the top cop but went on to harass the CBI officers who went to the residence of the Kolkata Police Commissioner in order to question him in connection with Ponzi scam case. In an unprecedented and highly unfortunate incident, the West Bengal police went on to detain the CBI team though the team was released later.

After this tragic incident, Adhir urged the centre to remove Mamata by imposing article 356. The centre should not allow Mamata Banerjee to hold the state at ransom. It is evident that all is not well in Bengal and with Rahul Gandhi as well.