Mamata Banerjee has again lashed out at the BJP government at the Center over Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) summons to TMC MP Abhishekh Banerjee, who was summoned for the second time to the ED office in Delhi.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday skipped the fresh summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged coal smuggling case.
The nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, was asked by the ED to appear on Wednesday to join the investigations in Delhi. Also, fresh summons for Abhishek Banerjee and his wife Rujira will be issued soon, sources said.
Abhishek Banerjee was questioned by the ED for over eight hours on Monday. The MP, sources said, did not cooperate during the interrogation.
Mamata Banerjee meanwhile criticized the BJP government fiercely. Ahead of Bhabanipur polls, said Mamata, BJP’s move is contentious.
Abhishek Banerjee, the All India General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress, had appeared at the ED’s office in Delhi two days before the coal scandal. According to sources, the agency had summoned Abhishek again on Wednesday, just within the span of 48 hours.
“There is nothing wrong with the agency. The officers of the agency are also not to blame. They are also under pressure,” Mamata Banerjee said. She also said that the Modi government is putting pressure on the agencies. Wednesday was Mamata’s first working meeting after the Bhabanipur by-election was announced, and it was in the meeting that the Chief Minister expressed her anger.
“Why was he (Abhishek) summoned to Delhi? Why not in Calcutta?” Mamata raised a question while adding that BJP can’t fight politically, and that BJP is using agencies to tackle the TMC juggernaut.
She further alleged that the BJP had weakened the Congress through these ways.
Meanwhile, The Durga Puja season in West Bengal has come closer and it is pertinent to mention that the pandemic situation is not getting any better. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured the Pujo Committees of financial help. Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi on behalf of the Chief Minister made the announcement.
At a meeting of indoor pujo committees on Tuesday, Dwivedi said, “Many pujo committees did not get any sponsors because of the pandemic last year. And this year too, the situation is almost the same. But meanwhile, I am reading the decision taken before the Chief Minister.”
In the wake of this, the state government announced financial assistance of Rs 50,000 for the pujo committees. However, the Election Commission has sought a response regarding the same, as this, in the light of the polls, is the ‘violation’ of the protocols.
Even during the last assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had to face the wrath of the commission for violating the standard election rules. Her campaign was banned for 24 hours. At a meeting in Kochbihar, Mamata called for a “siege” of the central forces. In the context of which the commission had issued this ban.
This time the state government’s announcement has sparked controversy. The BJP claims that the ruling party is violating the election rules by making this announcement. It has even been alleged that Pujo committees have been asked to publicize the state government’s public welfare projects.
The commission has called for a quick reply after the BJP’s complaint. Why are Pujo clubs given financial grants? The Election Commission has sent a query to Home Secretary BP Gopalika.