Decision to Arrest Mitra Taken at Meeting Between Shah and CBI: TMC

KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress on Friday said the arrest of state transport minister Madan Mitra by CBI in connection with the multi-crore Saradha chitfund scam was "politically motivated" and alleged that the decision was taken during the BJP president's "meeting with the CBI."

"The arrest is politically motivated. BJP is doing politics of vindictiveness. Its repercussions will be dangerous. CBI is being run not only by the BJP, but by its president Amit Shah," state Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjree told a press conference at the state secretariat. He was flanked by state education minister Partha Chatterjee.

"When Amit Shah came to Kolkata recently, it was then decided during a meeting with the CBI to arrest Madan Mitra," Mukherjee added.

Mukherjee, the senior-most cabinet minister in the Mamata Banerjee government, was reacting after the reports of Mitra's arrest came in the midst of a scheduled cabinet meeting being chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Stating that the CBI had become a tool of the BJP, Mukherjee said, "We will politically counter BJP's politics of vindictiveness."

"How can the state government and Assembly Speaker be kept in dark before arresting a cabinet minister?" Mukherjee asked.

"In the past there were many governments and several incidents had taken place. But, without any information to anyone, he (Madan Mitra) was arrested. Even Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, whom I had called up, said he was not informed. He (Mitra) had also not been served any notice.

"It is undemocratic and we strongly condemn this. After looking into all legal aspects, if necessary we will bring a privilege motion," Mukherjee said.

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