Kolkata, April 19 (IANS) In an angry retaliation over the Saradha scam issue which has again grabbed the spotlight, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday wondered why the wife of a union minister, named by the scam kingpin in a letter to the CBI, was not arrested.
Accusing the union minister of instigating police to arrest Trinamool Congress leaders, Banerjee said she had seen name of the minister's wife in the April (2013) letter written to the Central Bureau of Investigation by Saradha group chairman and managing director Sudipta Sen - who is now under arrest.
"During the election, (name of the minister) who ruined the country is telling the police go and arrest a few Trinamool leaders. Is it so easy? Why shouldn't your wife be arrested?
"I have seen the letter to the CBI, his wife's name is there. Yes, it is there. I would not have said this, had they not talked big," Banerjee said during a party rally in English Bazaar of Malda district.
Castigating the Left Front for "giving birth" to chit funds and the Saradha group, Banerjee questioned why the central government did not take any action when these unscrupulous firms were mushrooming.
"This outgoing government, which has sold the country, and has raised the prices of everything and is neck deep in scams, is pointing fingers at us. No matter how much you threaten me or run a malicious campaign, you cannot make me to bow down.
"When the elections come, you start conspiring and spread canards. But if you have the guts then touch me, I will then show you," asserted Banerjee asserting that it was her government which took action against the Saradha promoter and did not spare even its own MP alleged to be involved in the scam.
Incidentally, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi addressing rallies in Malda and Murshidabad earlier in the day, invoked the Saradha scam and accused the Banerjee government of shielding the scamsters.
"The scam runs into Rs.18,000 crore. This is your money. The money belongs to the poor. There is need for a CBI probe. But the state government does not want that. They know if the CBI begins probe, they will be exposed," said Gandhi.
Probing the multi-crore scam, the Enforcement Directorate recently arrested Sen's wife and son for alleged money laundering.
Suspended Trinamool MP Kunal Ghosh, now behind bars, has repeatedly alleged involvement of several party colleagues in the scam.
Following the arrests of Sen's wife and son, the opposition has been sharpening its attack on the Trinamool over the issue.
Raking up the issue, Left Front chairman and prominent CPI-M leader Biman Basu reiterated what former chief minister and veteran Marxist Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said at a rally that Banerjee, "the symbol of honesty has become a symbol of Saradha".
Weather Update: Cold wave and fog wreak havoc in Delhi-NCR, many flights and trains canceled; Rain alert in these states of the country
It is extremely cold in many parts of North India. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to continue over North India during the next
Samsung's third foldable phone Galaxy Z Fold 2 launched, this phone will compete
Smartphone company Samsung has launched its third foldable phone Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2. Galaxy Unpacked 2020 Part 2 has been launched in the virtual event. This phone has been introduced with a more
SRH vs GT Pitch Report: Batting or bowling? What will be beneficial after winning the toss, is knowing the nature of the Hyderabad pitch
The 66th match of IPL 2024 is to be held between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. This match will be played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Gujarat
If knockout match between Hyderabad and Bengaluru, they will face Delhi in qualifiers
The 13th season eliminator of IPL will be played in Abu Dhabi between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from 7:30 pm today. The winning team will have to play Qualifier-2
After the private arrest of Baba Ramdev, now government doctors also come forward, know what is the plan
Government and private doctors of Uttarakhand will demand to arrest Baba Ramdev by tying black lace on Tuesday. Students of government and private medical colleges of the state will also participate
India vs Pakistan: These veterans, including Virat, came out in support of Arshdeep, the young bowlers were trolled for dropping the catch
If there is a match between India and Pakistan, then cricket is not limited to sports only. In this one match, players have a great chance to become a hero. Pakistan players, against India and India
Andhra Pradesh: 6 workers were killed, 13 injured, four people from Bihar due to a massive fire in a chemical factory
A massive fire broke out at a chemical factory located in Musunuru village of Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh late last night. 6 laborers have died due to scorching in the fire. Apart from this, 13
India-US Tension: 'We will buy those things which India has made with its sweat'; PM Modi's important message from Kashi
The people of the country should take a pledge of Swadeshi. We will buy those things that India has sweated to make. We have to adopt the Vocal for Local mantra. We should take a pledge that we will
World Cup 2023: Shubman Gill's discharge from the hospital certainly did not reduce Team India's worries.
Indian team opener Shubhman Gill was admitted to the hospital in Chennai after contracting dengue. According to the information, Gill's platelet count had fallen below one lakh, after which he was
West Bengal Panchayat Results 2023: Mamta's big victory, but who will get an edge in 2024?
The ruling Trinamool Congress has won a major victory in the West Bengal Panchayat Election Results in West Bengal. The party is moving ahead with a victory of more than 12518 seats. This election
