Madan Mitra’s judicial custody extended till March 9

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The counsel requested the court that Mitra be treated as a division I prisoner and provided with all necessary medical assistance as he is suffering from various ailments.

Mitra, former state transport minister who was arrested on December 12, 2014, had surrendered before the court after his bail was cancelled by the Calcutta High Court on November 20. He came out of the jail for a brief period in October 2015 but was sent back after the high court cancelled his bail.

On Wednesday, while being taken to the court, he claimed that the TMC would once again form the government in the state. “Mamata Banerjee’s record is similar to that of Sachin Tendulkar. People of Bengal would vote for her and bring her back to power with at least 225 seats.”

Asked if he would contest in the upcoming elections, he said the decision rests on the party’s leadership. “I am an MLA of the Trinamool Congress and whatever the party decides, I will abide by it. Mamata Banerjee takes the final decision. I did not make the party. The party has made me.”

TMC MP Saugata Roy had said in January that Mitra would be fielded from Kamarhati constituency in North 24 Parganas, the seat which Mitra holds at present.

Mitra also took a jibe at the CPM and the Congress who are in talks over forming an alliance for the coming assembly elections. The TMC leader said their proposed alliance is “to get (currency) notes and not votes”.