West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee presents the Banga Bibhushan Award to Nirmala Banerjee, mother of Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee, at an event in Kolkata on Monday. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)Breaking her silence on the arrest of Partha Chatterjee, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said only those found guilty of wrongdoing should be punished.
Addressing the gathering during the state government’s Banga Bhushan award ceremony in Kolkata, she said: “I will not get into the details of the case as it is sub-judice. We have full faith in the judiciary. We want a time-bound probe into the matter. If someone is found guilty, the person should be punished accordingly, be it life imprisonment. I won’t mind. But, I condemn the malicious campaign against me,” she said.
Distancing herself from the scam, Banerjee said, “Throughout my life, I have been against corruption but I do not support injustice. However, I am unhappy with the recent developments. I do not spare anyone, even if that person is a minister, MP or MLA… If one makes a mistake, they better apologise and rectify it… The CPI(M) and BJP are dragging my name into the case but I will not let them succeed.”
Reiterating her party’s demand for a time-bound probe, the TMC chief said: “We want a fast-track court to hear the matter, otherwise it will be like the Saradha case, which is pending for over 10 years and there is no verdict or justice.”
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“The crime was done by the CPI(M), but the TMC was targeted… The ongoing media trial at the behest of the BJP is reprehensible… The BJP is doing this to change people’s perception. Scared of the July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally, they (BJP) sent ED officials the very next day to carry out raids. The BJP and CPI(M) leaders should remember that they also have skeletons in their cupboards,” she said, taking potshots at the Centre.
If the School Service Commission (SSC) case pertains to some years back, then why was it not reported then, she asked. The TMC has no links with the person from whose place the money was recovered,” she said, adding: “If I visit Durga Puja pandals and interact with people, does it mean I know them personally?”
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First published on: 25-07-2022 at 07:01:42 pm
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