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‘Chaiwallah Or CBIwallah’: Mamata Attacks PM Modi After CBI Questions TMC Leaders In Connection With Chit-Fund Scam
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee speaking during a press conference in Kolkata (Subhankar Chakraborty/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Following the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioning her close aide Manik Majumdar, and the summons being served to senior leaders from her party Derek O’ Brien and Subrata Bakshi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee unleashed her ire at the Modi government, claiming that the prime minister (PM) was using CBI against political opponents, reports Times of India.
“Don’t be surprised if they send a notice to my cook (at my Kalighat home). I’m waiting for it. How many notices can they send? I’m waiting,” she stated at a press conference on first February.
Banerjee claimed that the CBI’s hand was being forced by the PM Modi himself, stating, “Today I have opposed the Budget, spoken a word or two before you all. For this, they may even arrest me. But I do not blame CBI officers because they are being compelled to do that. I have heard that these officers are summoned to the PM’s residence. They are told ‘kuch toh karo. Isko notice bhejo, usko notice bhejo. Chaiwallah seh kya CBIwallah ban gaye hain (Do something. Send notices to these people. The Tea seller has turned into a CBI sleuth?).”
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Dilip Ghosh asserted that Mamata is afraid since people around her are facing the heat from the CBI.
Banerjee also hit out at the CBI for questioning Majumdar, claiming that he was a frail and old man who was completely honest. She alleged that this was a tactic of intimidation against her, but she would not be cowed down by it.
The CBI is investigating Majumdar for his connection with the paintings case; it is alleged that some of the over 100 paintings produced by Banerjee had been auctioned off to organisers of chit-fund.
The TMC has maintained the innocence of its leaders, claiming that all the money is accounted for in audit records, and that Banerjee has herself never benefited financially from any of the dealings.
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