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All opposition parties have extended their support to the West Bengal Chief Minister.
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continued her sit-in protest against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre on Monday over the CBI’s attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with chit fund scams. Mamata has maintained that she will continue her “Satyagraha” till the country and its Constitution are “saved”.
A full-blown face-off between Mamata government and the Centre erupted as a CBI team moved to arrest Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, which in turn were unceremoniously denied entry to Kolkata Police chief`s residence and then detained.
All opposition parties have extended their support to the West Bengal Chief Minister. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and DMK leader MK Stalin expressed their solidarity with Banerjee.
Here are the live updates from the tussle between Mamata government and the CBI:
# The Home Ministry is closely monitoring the situation in Kolkata. Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Governor of West Bengal Keshari Nath Tripathi to be apprised of the facts of the unprecedented situation of officers CBI officers being manhandled, detained, intimidated and obstructed. West Bengal Governor told Rajnath that he had summoned Chief Secretary and Director General of Police and asked them to take immediate action to resolve the situation.
# The Mamata vs CBI battle echoed in Parliament too with Rajya Sabha being adjourned till 2 pm soon after the proceedings of the day commenced. Lok Sabha has also been adjourned till 12 pm after uproar by Opposition parties.
# Seeking evidence of CBI allegations that the Kolkata police chief may try to destroy electronic evidence related to Saradha chit fund scam, CJI Gogoi said: “If Kolkata Police Commissioner even remotely thinks of destroying evidence, bring the material before this Court. We will come down so heavily on him that he will regret.”
# Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing CBI submits before Supreme Court: “Our team was arrested and kept in alleged custody. Kolkata Police Commissioner should immediately surrender.” Chief Justice of India says will hear the matter on Tuesday.
# CBI moves Supreme Court seeking directions to Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to cooperate with the investigation in Saradha chit fund case. CBI in its petition said that Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar was summoned multiple times but failed to cooperate and created hurdles in the investigation.
# Maharashtra Navnirman Sena backs Mamata. Party chief Raj Thackeray in a statement said: “We applaud and support the stand taken by Mamata Banerjee against the autocracy and tyranny of the Central government. We firmly stand behind her and the fight against this tyranny.”
# Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with party leaders on Monday. “We are coordinating with all national parties. Will discuss with Opposition leaders in my Delhi visit today. Kolkata rally was successful which is why these revengeful actions against Mamatha Banerjee are being taken,” Naidu said.
# Extra security has been deployed at the CBI headquarters in Kolkata to avoid any untoward incident.
# The BJP will address a press conference on Tuesday over the ongoing tussle between the CBI and state Police Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. “Why was the CBI stopped by police if Kumar has nothing to be afraid of? The CBI has the right to investigate the matter as they were asked to do so by the Supreme Court. Trinamool Congress (TMC) is deliberately blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah into the matter as they want to politicise the issue,” Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Babul Supriyo said. Supriyo also demanded that President’s Rule be imposed in West Bengal.