Union Minister Arun Jaitely attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying that a "Kleptocrat's Club" now aspires to capture the reigns of India. He said that Banerjee's "disproportionate over-reaction" raises issues for a public discourse.
Banerjee has been on dharna for the past three days after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials landed at Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's house on Sunday, 3 February.
If a police officer is also required to be interrogated, how does it become a “super emergency”, “assault on federalism”, or “destruction of institutions”?Arun Jaitley
The Union minister also asked about West Bengal chief minister's strategy behind inviting all "other leaders belonging to every Opposition to join her on the dharna?"
Jaitley said it would be erroneous to assume that Banerjee did this because of a routine investigation involving a police officer and said she did this to “defocus” from other opposition "aspirants for the highest office and to project herself as the nucleus of India's opposition".
Jaitley said the West Bengal chit fund fraud was unearthed in 2012-13. Its investigations were handed over to the CBI by the Supreme Court.
“The court monitored these investigations. The CBI has interrogated and even arrested some people. Many have been granted bail. If a police officer is also required to be interrogated, how does it become a “super emergency”, “assault on federalism”, or “destruction of institutions”?” Jaitley questioned.
Today, the CBI is being brutally prevented by physical force and detention of its officer from investigating a crime legally within its jurisdiction, in the state of West Bengal.Arun Jaitley
He also said that most of the Opposition leaders or their aides are being investigated in some cases and some have been prosecuted for crimes of corruption.
“Curiously, the AICC President somersaulted his position from Saradha being a scam to “shoulder-to-shoulder” support to scamster. Interestingly, the first family of Congress where most members are on bail. A non-ideological short-lived coalition of opposition is disaster for India,” he said.
Questioning whether “New India” can be ever run by this “kleptocrat’s club”, Jaitley said those who have lent support to the West Bengal dharna are those who are battling serious allegations of economic improprieties, criminal misconduct and even corruption.
Stating that India cannot afford unstability, he said, "It has also been argued that the choice in the next election will be either Modi vs Chaos or Modi vs Anarchy. Mamata Banerjee’s latest acrobatics are the best evidence of the kind of governance India’s opposition can provide."
Didi Says 'First Recover'
As soon as the Supreme Court heard the CBI-Kolkata Police matter, Mamata Banerjee held a press conference where she was asked about the "blistering attack" made by Jaitley. "Let him first recover. I will not say anything, he is not the finance minister anymore," replied Mamata Banerjee.
The chief minister welcomed the apex court order and said she was "absolutely happy" with the verdict.
(With inputs from PTI)
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