Trinamool may move SC against CBI 'misuse'

Kolkata, Jan 4 (IANS) West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress Sunday indicated it might move the Supreme Court against the "misuse" of the CBI by the central government in the Saradha scam probe to "settle political scores" with the party.

"Nothing has been finalised yet. Yes, moving the Supreme Court is definitely an option before us. The centre is using the CBI to settle political scores with us. We can knock on the doors of the apex court," a minister and Trinamool leader told IANS on condition of anonymity.

"But what has already been decided is we will fight the battle politically, and expose all those who are trying to paint a holier-than-thou image of themselves. We will campaign across cities, towns and villages and show the people pictures of opposition leaders with chit fund owners," he said.

With an eye on the 2015 municipal polls and the assembly elections a year later, the Trinamool has decided to take the Bharatiya Janata Party head-on to preserve its base, especially in the villages and among the Muslim community.

The party is facing its gravest political crisis since coming to power in 2011 as the Central Bureau of investigation carries forward its probe into the Saradha chit fund scam.

Already, state minister Madan Mitra, two party MPs - Kunal Ghosh and Srinjoy Bose - and a Trinamool vice president Rajat Majumdar are under arrest, while many other leaders have faced grilling by the CBI and other central agencies looking into the multi-million-rupee scandal.

Party chief Mamata Banerjee Saturday announced she would take reins of the organisation, in addition to performing her chief ministerial duties. Till now, party general secretary Mukul Roy was in charge of the organisation.

Banerjee also backed Mitra and Bose, saying she did not believe they were involved in the scam.