Speed up Saradha scam probe, Left tells Modi

Amid allegations by the Trinamool Congress that the Left front in West Bengal is covertly lending a hand to the BJP in the State, a delegation of Left leaders met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Monday.

The delegation demanded that Modi take stringent action against TMC leaders involved in the multi-crore Saradha scam.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury ridiculed the TMC’s charge that the Left front is helping the BJP. “This is a straightforward case of fraud. It has nothing to do with any political parties,” he said.

When asked about the allegation of Madan Mitra, a senior TMC Minister who was arrested in the case, that CPI(M) leaders are also involved in the scam, party leader Biman Bose said a statement from a “thief” cannot be taken at face value.

“We don’t think any of the CPI(M) leaders are involved in the issue. If we find anything irregular, we will take strict action,” Bose told reporters after meeting the Prime Minister.

Apart from Yechury and Bose, Left leaders Abani Roy, Surjya Kanta Mishra, Pallab Sengupta and Ali Imran Ramz met Modi. “Though some progress has been made in the investigations in this fraud under the Supreme Court supervision and some action against some of the culprits has been taken, this is inadequate,” the delegation said in a memorandum.

The leaders further said they are anxious that the beneficiaries of the fraud may misdirect the investigation. The arrests of some MPs and a senior State Minister raise “genuine apprehensions” of the involvement of the highest level in the State government, they added.

“Many such names, including the Chief Minister, have been reportedly mentioned by those interrogated so far,” the memorandum said.

The leaders asked Modi to ensure that all these fraudulent schemes in various States of eastern India are thoroughly investigated by the Central government and its agencies.

“The Centre should act as a coordinating agency,” Yechury added.

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