KOLKATA:While the CBI probing the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam on Friday let off ruling Trinamool Congress national secretary Mukul Roy after a six-hour grilling, it seems that West Bengal Chief Minister and party supremo Mamata Banerjee’s tale of woe has only just about started.
Mukul, a Rajya Sabha MP, said in a brief statement after his questioning, “I want the truth to come out. The poor who lost their savings should not be denied justice. The CBI questioned me for several hours and I have co-operated with the agency.”
“I have told the CBI officials that I would go not once but innumerable times if they call me any time in the interest of the investigation, as I want them to unearth the truth,” he said, virtually hailing the Central agency instead of alleging that the whole investigation was a BJP-controlled probe as claimed by the TMC top brass.
Mukul’s followers, many of whom are known to have revolted against the TMC leadership during the past week, raised slogans in favour of him as he came out of the CBI regional headquarters at the CGO complex in Salt Lake.
Interestingly, no slogans like ‘Mamata zindabad, Ma, mati, maanush zindabad and Trinamool Congress zindabad’ were raised. Neither were any TMC flags .
While entering the CGO complex, Mukul could be seen asking his followers not to enter the premises and telling them, “Go back, go outside.” The MP, who spent around six hours at the CBI Office, was interrogated in three different sessions and also provided lunch.
Mukul, who is considered the TMC’s ‘pillar of strength’ did not go to the party headquarters Trinamool Bhavan in the Eastern part of the city or to its supremo Mamata’s residence at Kalighat in Southern part, but returned to his present residence at the Central government Hostel at Nizam Palace in the metropolis.
While addressing the media, Mukul did not take Mamata’s name even once, but said, “I express my gratitude to the people of West Bengal, who had showered their love (on me) during the last few days. I am grateful to my colleagues and followers all over the country.”
“I have told the CBI that I am an MP and would never flee, but want to cooperate with them,” he said.