KOLKATA: Amid the massive BJP victory in Uttar Pradesh and indications that the saffron brigade is attempting to increase its presence in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are reeling under scandals as the BJP gains ground in the state.
Banerjee is on the backfoot after Calcutta High Court handed over the Narada sting probe to the CBI. The decision of the lower court was upheld by the Supreme Court, which condemned West Bengal for appealing against it. The sting operation showed 12 TMC ministers and leaders accepting bribes.
Calcutta Police has booked a cheating case against TMC MP Kanwar Deep Singh and his son based on a complaint by an employee of Alchemist Group, owned by the Rajya Sabha member. The complainant claims Singh duped him of `2.5 crore. Kanwar is also the president of the Indian Hockey Federation.
Narada TV CEO Matthew Samuel had claimed that the sting was conducted on the direction and funding of the millionaire businessman.
A show cause notice has been sent to former Burdwan Superintendent of Police SMH Mirza for accepting bundles of cash in lieu of arranging meetings with TMC ministers. However, Mamata supports the 12 leaders and has said accepting bundles of cash for the party fund before elections does not prove corruption.
The CBI probe into the Narada sting has given a fresh lease of life to the BJP in West Bengal, which was cornered over the alleged involvement of its leaders in the Jalpaiguri child trafficking racket. The Congress and CPM have also sharpened their attack against the TMC.