Kolkata 11 August : After his detention by the CBI in connection with the case of cattle smuggling in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress leadership has started distancing itself from its chief of staff as well as Birbhum district’s head Anubrata Mondal. Similar steps were taken by the Trinamool leadership following the arrest of the former state minister Partha Chatterjee was detained by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his claimed involvement in the teacher recruitment scam.
The first person to speak up with regards to Mondal’s arrest was the veteran Trinamool politician and state minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, who said: “If anyone commits a crime, he or she will be held accountable for the consequences.If, however, he (Mondal) declares innocence, the burden falls on him to show it.”
Chattopadhyay’s views were also echoed by the state Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, who stated that the party’s position was clear on these issues and that there is no tolerance displayed to anyone who is found to be engaged in morally shady activities.
“We will apply the same procedure in this instance as well.
In the meantime I would like to inquire whether central agencies such as the ED and CBI are taking an objective approach as they remain not active and silent about making mistakes with BJP leaders, whether in West Bengal or elsewhere in the country,” Bhattacharya said.
In response to a question about whether the party would adopt the same strategy that it has adopted in the case of Partha Chatterjee by removing the former of all portfolios of the party and suspending him for an indefinite time, Bhattacharya said the decision on this issue will be made by the party’s highest party leadership in the coming days.
The Trinamool legislature Madan Mitra, meanwhile, was ridiculed by Mondal for repeatedly ignoring CBI summonses.
“The party did not ever ask him to stay clear of CBI summons.
He did this because of his own choice.In the past, I was repeatedly summoned by central authorities in relation with the Saradha Chit Fund investigation.I always was cooperative with agencies.” Mitra said.
Making fun of the Trinamool to discredit its strategy, CPI(M) politburo member Md Salim said “When Partha Chatterjee and Anubrata Mondal were the primary fund arrangers they were assets of the CPI(M).Now, how can the CPI(M) claim to have no relations with them following their arrest?”
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