Krishnanagar, Feb. 27: Amid mounting allegations of corruption against the Trinamool Congress leadership, party MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday strongly criticized those involved, labeling them as “Dacoits” who are damaging the party’s reputation.
In an apparent reference to Trinamool MLA Manik Bhattacharya—one of the accused in the teachers’ recruitment scam who was arrested by the ED but recently granted bail—the Krishnanagar MP alleged that such individuals are not just thieves but that their entire families are involved in wrongdoing. She claimed to have compelled to make this assertion for obvious reasons.
Speaking at a party meeting on Tuesday afternoon in Barnia village of Palashipara, an assembly segment represented by Bhattacharya and part of the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency, Moitra categorically stated that the party’s image has suffered because of those accused of corruption and that she cannot remain silent while they continue to exert influence in the area.
“It is because of them that the party’s image has been tarnished. There was a case, an FIR was lodged, and even a charge sheet was filed against them. And yet, these people are entering the area to hold meetings, and we are expected to accept them. Have we died? What do you think?” Moitra, who is also the president of the party’s Krishnanagar organizing district, said at the meeting.
“I usually don’t speak on such matters. I have never said this before. But today, I am compelled to do so. Those who are tarnishing the party’s image are like Raghu Dakat,” she remarked, referring to the infamous dacoit from Bengali folklore, often depicted with a Robin Hood-like persona. “These people are not small-time thieves or pickpockets,” she added.
“I am not lying while standing here in Barnia. This is the reality,” she said, asserting herself as a loyal party worker and a member of Mamata Banerjee’s brigade. “Only because of two or three thieves, our image is being tarnished,” she continued.
Manik Bhattacharya, along with his wife and son, was arrested by the ED, but were granted bail. On Wednesday, the CBI filed a third supplementary chargesheet in the case, alleging that the Palashipara MLA accepted bribes for teachers’ recruitment.
Reacting to Moitra’s remarks, Bhattacharya dismissed them, saying that similar allegations had been made by the BJP and CPM for a long time, and now “another” voice had joined in.
“This is the same thing that BJP and CPM have been saying for a long time. I will not comment on anyone. I am not even aware of what she actually said or whether her words were directed at me. She will have to answer for whatever she said. I have absolute faith in the judiciary and in the people’s mandate, which is the only thing that matters,” Bhattacharya said.
Trinamool’s Krishnanagar organizing committee chairman Rukbanur Rahaman, however, refused to comment on the issue.
Sources close to Mohua revealed that she is upset over Manik Bhattacharya’s recent efforts to organize booth-level meetings in his constituency after securing bail. The recruitment scam had been a major embarrassment for the Trinamool Congress, forcing the party leadership into uncomfortable justifications at every turn.
“It was only Mamata Banerjee’s leadership that helped manage the crisis—otherwise, the government itself might have been at risk. At a time when both the party and the administration are striving to move past this humiliation, allowing a tainted leader like Manik Bhattacharya to hold meetings would only make matters worse. Just as Partha Chatterjee is no longer acceptable to the people and leadership in Behala, Manik Bhattacharya is no longer welcome in Palashipara. The entire country is condemning us, and yet, individuals like Manik, after securing bail, are attempting to revive their fraudulent networks. Our MP has strongly protested against this, and rightfully so”, said a party insider close to the Krishnanagar MP in Nadia.
Meanwhile, party insiders suggested that Moitra’s outburst was driven by internal friction. Recently, at least six Trinamool MLAs under the Krishnanagar organizational district, including Bhattacharya, lodged a complaint against her with the party’s top leadership, accusing her of high-handedness. The rift between Moitra and these MLAs became apparent during a condolence meeting for the late Kaliganj MLA Nasiruddin Ahmed.