Gov calls Shahjahan’s arrest ‘light at end of tunnel’; TMC, BJP spar

Welcoming the arrest of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Thursday described it as “light at the end of the tunnel”.

“I told you there will be light at the end of the tunnel. That is democracy… This is a lesson for everyone,” said the Governor.

Speaking at Raj Bhavan, he asserted the time has come to put criminals in jails, and added: “This is the beginning of an end. In parts of Bengal, the goons are ruling the roost. This must end…”

While CM Mamata Banerjee, who was in Jhargram, did not speak about Sheikh’s arrest, her party leaders emphasized the TMC leader’s suspension for six years and attributed it to the CM’s “raj dharma”.  RS MP Derek O’Brien dared the BJP to take action against their leaders who face criminal charges. State Education Minister Bratya Basu said CM Banerjee has performed the “raj dharma” by taking action against her party leaders. “Why has the BJP not acted against leaders such as Himanta Biswa Sarma, Brij Bhushan, and others despite several allegations against them?” Basu added.

Stating that the ED had told the Calcutta HC stop West Bengal Police from arresting Sheikh, the TMC minister said: “They wanted to keep the Sandeshkhali issue alive till the PM’s Bengal trip. After our leader Abhishek Banerjee’s remark on the HC’s stay and the court’s clarification, we arrested Shahjahan Sheikh. Only TMC can set such an example”. Modi is scheduled to visit Bengal on a two-day tour from Friday.

Terming arrest of Sheikh as a “mutual adjustment” between TMC and Bengal Police, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, said, “Unless the central agencies take him into their custody, the people there (Sandeshkhali) won’t get justice.” BJP state chief Sukanta Majumdar alleged Sheikh’s arrest was a premeditated move orchestrated by TMC and state police. “He has been arrested as part of a well-scripted story,” he said. full report