Thursday, May 09, 2024 | Last Update : 04:58 AM IST
Mamata Banerjee publicly defends Narada accused
Chief minister assures the leaders that they have nothing to fear, calls CBI ‘pet mice’ of the Centre.
Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday publicly defended her party leaders against whom the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently registered an FIR based on the Narada sting video that showed them accepting wads of notes.
“There is nothing to fear. They have registered a case against 13 persons. Hey, why don’t you stand up? They will not be able to prove anything. They have not done anything wrong and this will be proved one day. We believe that justice will be delivered…,” Ms Banerjee said.
Ten of the leaders named in the Narada FIR, who were present at the jam-packed Netaji Indoor Stadium, stood up immediately. Transport minister Suvendu Adhikari, deputy mayor Iqbal Ahmed and IPS officer S.M.H. Meerza were however absent.
The chief minister urged those accused in the Narada case to fight boldly. “If you send any of us in jail, the roots will rear their heads in Delhi, in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.”
Extending her support to her Lok Sabha leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay,who was arrested by the CBI early in January for his alleged involvement in the Rose Valley scam, the chief minister said, “Sudipda has been in jail for four months. He has been arrested because he raised his voice against the demonetisation. There is no law. It is their power and influence that has kept him behind bars without a trial. It is more dangerous than the emergency and even the ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act).”
Reiterating that Narada was nothing but a political conspiracy, the chief minister said, “They are indulging in a conspiracy and calling it law. Here is Madan Mitra, who was put in jail for two years. What was his crime? He was seen in a meeting with somebody.” Former transport and sports minister Madan Mitra who was arrested by the CBI in relation to the Saradha scam is presently out on bail.Ms Banerjee called the CBI “pet mice” of the Centre.
“Conspiracy cannot be the rule of law. This is not the CBI that you know and respect. This is the CBI of the Gujju babus (the Gujarati gentry),” she said.
