Kolkata: All eyes are set on West Bengal after the huge overnight showdown between the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The ruckus started after CBI officials showed up at Kolkata police chief Rajeev Kumar’s residence for investigation of two Ponzi schemes, they were temporarily detained by the police.
Further, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee staged an overnight dharna to ‘Save the Constitution’ accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of political vendetta.
The BJP leaders have been calling for President’s Rule in the state, at the same time the opposition have their support to Banerjee, uniting against the centre.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Mamata Banerjee called CBI’s move a ‘total constitutional breakdown”. “How dare you come to a police commissioner’s home without a warrant? Mr (Ajit) Doval is doing whatever PM wants him to do, he is the one giving all the instructions to CBI,” Mamata Banerjee said.
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- West Bengal Chief Minister accompanied by city police chief Rajeev Kumar, spent the night at the designated spot in Central Kolkata for protests. “This is a Satyagraha and I’ll continue till the country is saved,” Banerjee said. “We have full confidence in the judiciary, media and the people… If they want to impose President’s Rule, we are ready for it,” she added.
- Meanwhile, the CBI is expected to move Supreme Court on Monday, accusing the West Bengal government of impeding a court-ordered probe into the chit fund scams, said the agency’s interim boss, M Nageswara Rao. The state government is also likely to appeal to the top court about the issue.
- According to reports, Rajeev Kumar – who headed a Special Investigation Team probing the Saradha and Rose Valley Ponzi scams of 2013 – was asked to help the investigation after several documents allegedly went missing. The Kolkata Police said they would take action for the defamatory reports.
- Mamata Banerjee accused BJP of engineering the crisis as she said that the trouble flared up after her mega rally of 23 opposition parties in Kolkata last month. “The Kolkata Police Commissioner is among the best in the world. His integrity, bravery and honesty are unquestioned. He is working 24×7, and was on leave for only one day recently. When you spread lies, the lies will always remain lies,” she tweeted.
The Kolkata Police Commissioner is among the best in the world. His integrity, bravery and honesty are unquestioned. He is working 24×7, and was on leave for only one day recently. When you spread lies, the lies
will always remain lies 2/2— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 3, 2019
- “President’s Rule should be imposed on West Bengal to control this ‘Rogue’ #TMchhi Govt under a corrupt CM MamtaBanerjee. This is a constitutional crisis ‘created’ by Mamta to shield her corrupt & tainted accomplices (sic),” BJP lawmaker Babul Supriyo tweeted.
President’s Rule should be imposed on West Bengal to control this ‘Rogue’ #TMchhi Govt under a corrupt CM MamtaBanerjee•This is a constitutional crisis ‘created’ by Mamta to shield her corrupt & tainted accomplices
— Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) February 3, 2019
- The opposition extended their support to Mamata Banerjee. Rahul Gandhi, Chandrababu Naidu, Arvind Kejriwal, Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Yadav and HD Deve Gowda tweeting their outrage. Kejriwal, Omar Abdullah and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi called up Mamata Banerjee and offered her full support.
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.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 3, 2019
We strongly condemn the incidents happening in Kolkata, a glaring example of how Modi-Shah duo are destroying the institutions. Attacking political opponents in different States, few days before the Parliament elections commence, will have disastrous consequences in the country.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) February 3, 2019
Spoke to Mamta didi and expressed solidarity. Modi-Shah duo’s action is completely bizarre and anti-democracy
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 3, 2019