The Saradha money collection scam has finally snowballed into a major political issue in West Bengal, days before the State goes for the third round of polls on April 30.
Of the 42 constituencies in the State, polling is so far through in only 10 seats. Another nine constituencies will go to polls on Wednesday.
Though the scam broke out more than a year ago, the State enquiry is yet to establish critical details on the amount of money raised and, where did it head for.
The ruling Trinamool Congress came under pressure when the Enforcement Directorate stepped up its enquiry a couple of weeks ago. Apart from attaching assets of the ponzi operator and arresting group chief Sudipta Sen’s close relations, the central agency summoned some Trinamool bigwigs for interrogation.
While ED’s action has already caused a lot of discomfort for Trinamool that accused the Congress-led government at the Centre for hatching a conspiracy. BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi queered the pitch on Sunday.
Blames State Govt Addressing a party rally in the suburbs of Kolkata, Modi not only blamed the Mamata Banerjee-government for shielding the beneficiaries of the scam, but directly pointed fingers at her.
Wondering how Banerjee’s paintings fetched ₹1.8 crore, Modi demanded that the Trinamool should disclose the name of buyers.
“Good that you are such a gifted painter. But, who was it that paid ₹1.8 crore to buy your painting,” Modi said in Hindi at a rally in the suburbs of Kolkata referring to media reports.
Trinamool General Secretary Mukul Roy on Monday accused Modi of character assassination. “He should apologise in public or we will file a defamation suit,” Roy said in a press conference attended by State Finance Minister Amit Mitra and spokesperson Derek O’Brien.
No disclosure According to Roy, Banerjee’s paintings were sold through an exhibition organised by the party mouthpiece “Jago Bangla” that has audited records. Parts of the proceeds are used to fund election, he said.
Asked if any painting fetched ₹1.8 crore, Roy said, “It is an issue pertaining to audit and the media has no right to know about it.”
Later during the day arrested Saradha chief Sudipto Sen said that he did not buy any paintings of Banerjee. The Chief Minister too launched a scathing attack on Modi at the State secretariat describing him as a symbol of sectarian politics.