By Muslim Mirror Staff
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government of plotting to arrest opposition leaders before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in an attempt to secure votes for themselves in an “empty country.” She raised concerns about the summoning of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case linked to excise policy, which is scheduled for questioning on November 2, and the issuance of notices to several other opposition leaders. Banerjee claimed that phones belonging to opposition party MPs were being hacked.
“Before next year’s elections, they (BJP) are trying to gag the voice of all opposition parties. They are planning to arrest all opposition leaders before the polls so that they can vote for themselves in an empty country. They are hatching a conspiracy,” Banerjee asserted.
She said, “They (Centre) have sent a notice to Arvind (Kejriwal). Five-six MPs have said their phones have been hacked… Let them continue to do it. We cannot humiliate our motherland.”
Banerjee reiterated her demand for the release of MGNREGA funds owed to West Bengal, extending the previous deadline set by her party from November 1 to November 16. She revealed that Governor CV Ananda Bose had assured that he would take up the issue with the central government.
“Today was the last day, but nothing has happened so far. If the MNEGRA dues are not cleared by November 16, we will declare our next course of action,” Banerjee added.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader announced that her party would hold a meeting at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in the city on November 15 to determine their next steps regarding the MGNREGA funding issue.
Banerjee addressed the recent arrest of state Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mallick by the Enforcement Directorate in a ration scam case but refrained from commenting on the legal aspect of the situation, stating that the accused should defend himself. She attributed the multi-crore ration scam to the previous Left Front government and commended the arrested former food minister for digitizing ration cards.
“I will not respond to the legal part of this issue as the accused needs to defend himself,” Banerjee said. She disclosed that when the TMC came to power in 2011, there were one crore fake ration cards in the state, and she took action to cancel them, file cases, and issue charge sheets against those involved in the scam.
Banerjee also hinted at ongoing investigations into alleged corruption by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, suggesting that individuals with significant assets, including fishing trawlers and benami properties, might be implicated in various illegal activities. She stated, “I am just thinking aloud. There are some people who own 60-70 fishing trawlers besides many benami properties and petrol pumps… We are recovering documents as well. Many things will come out if we start digging.”
These developments come amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal and escalating accusations between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP.