Those who can't fight politically use agencies: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee
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Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee, who was being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday in connection with the alleged Bengal school jobs scam, hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by alleging that "those who can't fight politically are using agencies."
He accused the BJP for allegedly manipulating central probe agencies to meet its political interests and accused it of suffering from “Abhishek phobia”.
“The BJP has been using CBI and ED to serve its political interests. But they can’t force us to surrender before them using central agencies. We have faith in the people. The BJP is suffering from Abhishek phobia as they have been unable to fight us politically,” TMC MP and spokesperson Santanu Sen told news agency PTI.
Banerjee also questioned the ED’s decision to summon him on Wednesday, the day of the opposition bloc INDIA’s meeting in Delhi.
He said that the "ED could have called him on September 12 or 15", allowing him to join the INDIA bloc meeting.
"It has been proven that the BJP is targeting the TMC, which plays a role in opposition unity. They want to stop TMC at any cost," the General Secretary of Mamata Banerjee’s party said.
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Abhishek Banerjee further questioned the “credibility of these organisations” and asked why no actions have been taken in cases where BJP leaders stand accused.
"The CBI enquiry into the Narada scam has been ongoing for 7 years without any outcome. Those who joined the BJP don't receive summonses," he said, adding that those who are seen taking money on camera are never called by investigation agencies.
He also alleged that central government agencies like ED and CBI "first identify the culprits and then decide on the crime."
Banerjee further said, "They harass us when elections come," and urged his party members "to stay united in this fight." He also alleged that the "BJP, in the name of a double-engine government, is looting the country".
The central agency officials questioned Banerjee from 11:30 am to 8:40 pm on Wednesday in connection with the probe into the alleged school jobs scam in West Bengal.
Banerjee said he cooperated with ED officials and requested the agency to submit his statement before the court tomorrow.
Abhishek Banerjee is one of the members of the coordination committee of the opposition bloc INDIA.
Meanwhile, the BJP took a dig at Banerjee for knocking on the judiciary’s doors.
“He had made big statements that he was ready to face any consequences, even death if charges against him were proved. If he is so sure of his innocence, then why is he running from one court to another? Why is he appointing renowned advocate Kapil Sibal to fight his case? Instead of moving the judiciary, he must face the questioning to prove his innocence”, BJP state unit president Sukanta Majumdar said.
