Narada sting operation: Mamata Banerjee orders probe

Keeping her promise, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday ordered an inquiry into the Narada sting operation in which a dozen top Trinamul Congress leaders and a senior IPS officer were caught on camera accepting wads of currency notes. The sting video, which was aired on March 14, had sent shockwaves in the state, giving the Opposition a powerful weapon against the TMC. “I had earlier publicly said that I was unable to order an inquiry since we were in the midst of an election. Today, I have given order for an inquiry by Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar,” she announced at Nabanna after a marathon meeting with chief secretary Basudeb Banerjee and home secretary Moloy De. Opposition Congress, Left Front and BJP scoffed at the probe order describing it as the “new government’s new natak.” Ms Banerjee said it was her commitment to the people of Bengal that she would unveil the truth.

“At the time of election, there were various acts of provocation, tension and conspiracy particularly centring around the sting operation. There was attempt at creating negative public reaction. I am convinced that there was a conspiracy and I want the truth to come out,” she added.

Ms Banerjee reminded the people that she had earlier ordered an internal party inquiry into the incident. “That was a party inquiry which was carried out by MPs Sudip Banerjee, Subrata Bakshi and Kalyan Banerjee,” she said.

Ms Banerjee took pains to elaborate that today she had a “detailed and prolonged” discussion with senior bureaucrats before deciding for a probe. “I have given the order for the police inquiry and investigation followed by action,” she added. Ms Banerjee had always believed that the Narada sting video was part of a conspiracy which her opponents had hatched during the most-bitterly contested Assembly election.

The chief secretary said that an investigation into the entire incident would follow a preliminary inquiry by the police. “The Kolkata police commissioner has been entrusted with the responsibility of this inquiry,” Mr Banerjee added.

The chief minister said that she was confident that the police would conduct an impartial inquiry. “We have noticed on several occasions that attempts were made to insult West Bengal. We are therefore keen to unearth the entire truth behind the total sting episode. We must know who were the people behind the conspiracy. If someone is found guilty, action will be taken against him. We are transparent and want the people to know the whole truth,” she added.

Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan recalled that Ms Banerjee had entrusted Rajeev Kumar with the probe of the Saradha chit fund scam also. “Mr Kumar did not make any arrest. Instead, he gave clean chits to all ruling party leaders who were allegedly involved in Saradha scam,” he added. CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said when Narada case was being investigated on the orders of Calcutta high court, Ms Banerjee’s order was a mere hogwash.